The Senedd Election is due to take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
You do not need Voter ID to vote in this election.
From May 2026, the number of Senedd constituencies will reduce from 40 to 16, but each will be represented by six Members. The total number of Members will increase from 60 to 96.
For °¬˛ćAƬ, this means the county borough will be covered by a new constituency
- °¬˛ćAƬ Caerffili Rhymni: Created from the °¬˛ćAƬ & Rhymney and Caerphilly UK Parliamentary constituencies
Here is a map of the new constituency
New voting system
The way you vote in Senedd elections has changed. You will now vote using a voting system called the 'closed proportional list system' to elect Members of the Senedd. This is a form of proportional representation. This means the more votes a political party or independent candidate gets, the more seats they will win.
The ballot paper will ask you to 'vote only once by putting an X in the voting box next to your choice'.
The ballot paper will show a list of candidates for each political party. The parties choose the order that candidates appear on the list. The people at the top of the list are elected first.
For example, if a political party wins three seats, the first three people on their list will be elected.
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.
For information of parties and candidates standing in your area, go to .
Timetable of key events
|
Event |
Date |
|
Notice of Election |
23 March |
|
Poll cards dispatched |
27 March |
|
Deadline for receipt of nominations |
9 April (4pm) |
|
Publication of statement of persons nominated |
10 April (4pm) |
|
Postal votes dispatched |
20 April |
|
Deadline to register to vote |
20 April |
|
Deadline to apply for a postal vote |
21 April (5pm) |
|
Deadline to apply for a proxy vote |
28 April (5pm) |
|
Polling Day |
7 May (7am to 10pm) |
|
Verification |
7 May (10pm) |
|
Count |
8 May (10am) |
Register to vote
To vote in this election you must:
- be
- be 16 or over on the day of the election ('polling day')
- live in Wales
- not be legally excluded from voting
You can register to vote online: .
The deadline to register is midnight on Monday 20 April.
If you are not sure whether you are already registered to vote, please contact the Electoral Services office:
The General Offices, Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale NP23 6DN
- Email: electoral.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
- Phone: 01495 369706
Postal voting
If you need to vote by post in this election, please contact Electoral Services for an application form.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote, or to cancel or amend an existing postal vote at this election is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
Proxy voting
If you would like someone else to vote on your behalf at this election, please contact Electoral Services for an application form.
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm Tuesday 28 April.
If after 5pm on the 28 April you find yourself unable to vote in person, due to medical or work reasons, you may be entitled to apply for an emergency proxy vote.
Please contact the Electoral Services team for further information.
Accessible voting
We attempt to make all our polling stations wheelchair accessible and can provide ramps where necessary.
In addition to this:
- All polling stations have a polling booth adapted for wheelchair users
- Large print versions of ballot paper(s) are available in every polling station, along with aids to enable blind voters to mark their ballot papers without help
- Audio ballot papers
- If you are a Disabled voter and you need support to complete a ballot paper on your own, you can take a friend or relative to the polling station to assist you
- The Presiding Officer at the polling station can help you fill in your ballot paper
- Tactile Voting Device for people with a visual impairment
- Magnifiers
- Pencil grips
- Chairs for people who cannot stand for long periods
Candidates and Agents
The Returning Officer for the °¬˛ćAƬ Caerffili Rhymni Constituency will be Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Any queries from candidates and agents, please contact Caerphilly Council by phoning 01443 866586 or by emailing the Deputy Returning Officer beechd@caerphilly.gov.uk
Further information can be found on the Caerphilly website at the following link