Senedd Cymru Elections

The date for the next Senedd Cymru Election is Thursday 7 May 2026

Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg Constituency

Significant changes are due to come into force prior to the next Senedd polls scheduled on Thursday 7 May 2026. What you need to know can be found on Senedd Cymru's Countdown to the 2026 Senedd Election: Five things you need to know page.

Wales will have 16 constituencies instead of the current 40. Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru created the new constituencies for Wales. 

The Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60. Each constituency will elect six Members.

For the Vale of Glamorgan the Commission determined that a county constituency be created from: The Bridgend UK Parliamentary constituency and The Vale of Glamorgan UK Parliamentary constituency. The Commission designated the single name of Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg for this constituency.

For electors living in Sully, Penarth, Llandough and Dinas Powys, the Commission determined that a county constituency be created from the Cardiff West UK Parliamentary constituency and the Cardiff South and Penarth UK Parliamentary constituency. The Commission designated the single name of Caerdydd Penarth for this constituency.

You can find out more information on the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru 2026 Review: Final Determinations page.

Map of Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg Constituency

New voting system

The new voting system is called a ‘closed proportional list system’. This means you vote for a political party (rather than individuals) or an independent candidate.

The ballot paper will show the full list of candidates in your constituency, so you can still see who you're voting for.

If a party wins enough votes, they will win one or more seats in the Senedd. If an independent candidate wins enough votes, they will win a seat in the Senedd. 

Seats will reflect the percentage of votes each party or independent candidate gets.

Why do Senedd elections matter?

The Welsh Government is responsible for deciding how Wales is run. They choose what to spend public money on and decide how to deliver public services.

It is where Welsh laws are passed and where some Welsh taxes are set. Members of the Senedd look at the work of the Welsh Government and question its decisions and spending in the Senedd.

The Senedd looks closely at the work of the Welsh Government and questions its ministers. It examines government plans and suggests changes. Senedd members are also able to raise issues in the Senedd that are important to you.

The Senedd is responsible for services such as health, education, transport.

Further information regarding the role of the Senedd can be found here.

Who can vote in this election

To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote (see below how to do this).

When registered, the following can vote in the Senedd Election on Thursday 7 May 2026:

• Aged 16 years old and above
• British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens
• EU citizens
• Qualifying foreign citizen (a qualifying foreign citizen is a citizen of another country who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission).

For further information please visit the Electoral Commission website:

Which elections you can vote in

You do not need Voter ID to be able to vote at this election.

Register to vote

To vote in the Senedd election, you must be registered by Monday 20 April 2026.

You only need to register once – not for every election. You will need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality. 

You can register to vote online.  It only takes 5 minutes to register.

To register you will be asked for the following details:

• your full name,
• your postal address,
• your date of birth, and
• your national insurance number (if you are 16 years of age or above). It helps to have your National Insurance number to hand, you can find it on your payslip, P60, or letters about tax, pensions and benefits.

If you cannot provide any of these details for any reason, we may need to contact you for further information. 

If you have provided your email address, you should get a confirmation e-mail after you have made an application to register.

If you have not provided an email address, you will get a letter in the post. 

To register to vote, you must be aged 14 or over (but you can’t vote until you’re 16 or 18 depending on the election) and one of the following: 

• a UK or Irish citizen
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK 
• a qualifying EU citizen living in the UK 
• a qualifying foreign citizen

For further information, please visit the Electoral Commission website: 

Which elections you can vote in

Don’t leave registration until the last minute, just in case you have any problems.

Accessible voting

View our information on what we do to make sure everyone can vote in the Vale of Glamorgan.  

Deciding how to vote

There are many ways in which you can vote if you are registered to vote:

• Voting in person at the polling station

  When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you. This is based on your address on the electoral register.

   

   

  Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day, Thursday 7 May 2026 and are usually public buildings.

   

  Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. It might have changed since the last time you voted so please check your poll card. We will send the card by post a few weeks before polling day.

   

  You can only vote in person at your allocated polling station.

   

  Find your polling station

   

   

  What to expect at the polling station 

  You will need to give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive.

   

   

  You will be given a ballot paper which has details of how to vote and the voting options for the poll.  If you need any help to cast your vote, please ask the staff in the polling station.

   

  Find out more about voting in person

• Voting by post
  You can apply to vote by post for:

   

  • a single election on a specific date
  • a specific period, or
  • permanently

   

  You will need to download and print the postal vote application form, complete it and send it to us by email or post.

   

  The application form has instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

   

  You will need to provide your date of birth and sign your application form. These are used to confirm your identity when you vote by post.

   

  You will not need to provide a National Insurance number.

   

  If you cannot sign the form or cannot sign in a consistent way, please contact us.

   

  If you cannot download and print this form, you can contact us to request a paper form. 

  You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election. If you have a postal vote, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.

   

  If you wish to cancel your postal vote for this election, you will need to do so by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

• Completing and returing your poastal vote
  When voting by post, you should:

   

  • mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
  • fill in the postal voting statement
  • put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided
  • seal the envelope yourself

   

  Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it is counted. 

   

  If you are too late to post your ballot paper, you can take it to your local polling station by 10pm on election day or to theElectoral Services Office at Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU

• What to do if your ballot paper is spoilt or lost

  Your ballot paper needs to clearly display your voting choice. If it has been damaged or if you lose it, you need to get another one.

   

  You can either:

  • contact us to ask for a replacement on 01446 709748
  • collect a replacement from us at Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU up to 5pm on polling day, Thursday 7 May 2026

   

  You cannot vote at a polling station if you are registered to vote by post or if your ballot paper was lost or damaged.

• Voting by proxy

  If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

   

  The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote on your behalf by post.

   

  Your proxy should be someone you trust to vote for you. You will need to tell them how you wish your vote to be cast.

   

  To apply to vote by proxy, you will need to download and print the voting by proxy registration form, complete it, sign it, and send it to us by post or e-mail.

   

  The deadline to apply for a proxy vote in this election is 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026.

   

  Further information can be found on the Electoral Commission website:

   

  Apply to vote by proxy

• Emergency Proxy Vote

  In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

   

  This must be something that you weren't aware of before 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

   

  Emergency proxy applications can be made up to 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.

   

  Circumstances where you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy include:

  • Medical emergency
  • Away for work.

   

  If you need to apply for an emergency proxy, please telephone the Electoral Services Team on 01446 709748.

   

  Further information can be found on the Electoral Commission website:

   

  Emergency proxy vote 

   

Key dates

• The deadline for registering to vote is Monday 20 April 2026;
• If you have moved home recently and have not registered to vote at your new address, you must do so by Monday 20 April 2026;
• If you wish to vote by post or by postal proxy, the deadline to apply is 5pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026;
• If you wish to vote by proxy (not emergency proxy), the deadline to apply is 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026;
• Emergency proxy votes may be available from after 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026 until 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026 but only under specific extenuating circumstances, find details on the Electoral Commission website or telephone 01446 709748.
• Polling Day is Thursday 7 May 2026. Polling Stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

If you live in Bridgend, you will need to contact Bridgend Electoral Services by email electoral@bridgend.gov.uk, by phone 01656 643116 or by post Bridgend County Borough Council, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB.