How Wales elects the Senedd
The 2026 election marked the biggest change to the Senedd since devolution. It expanded from 60 to 96 Members and replaced the previous mixed system with a closed proportional list system.
Wales now has 16 Senedd constituencies, each returning six Members. Voters cast one vote for a political party or an independent candidate. Seats are allocated proportionally using the D'Hondt method; where a party wins multiple seats, candidates are elected in the order set on its list.
Turnout in 2026 was 51.6%, the highest recorded at a Senedd or Welsh Assembly election. Because the number of Members, constituency map and voting system all changed, historical comparisons need to identify the break in 2026 rather than treating it as an ordinary continuation of the previous system.