Senedd Elections 2026 – voting information for residents
This page provides important information about the 2026 Senedd Elections on Thursday, May 7 – which has several significant changes for residents to be aware of when compared with previous elections. These changes includes a new voting system, along with new constituencies and boundaries that are being introducted for the first time. In total, there are four Senedd constituencies which cover the overall Council area of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
When do the elections take place?
Voting for the 2026 Senedd Elections takes place on Thursday, May 7, from 7am to 10pm. The votes will then be counted in the daytime on Friday, May 8.
Election notices will be updated here when they have been made.
Who can vote in the elections?
To vote in the Senedd election, you must be:
- Registered to vote (If you’re not already registered).
- 16 or over on the day of the election – May 7, 2026.
- A British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen, EU citizen or a qualifying Foreign citizen.
Full details on voting eligibility and how to register are included on our website.
What are some other key dates in the run-up to the elections?
Please find a list below of the key dates you might need to be aware of:
- Register to vote deadline – midnight on Monday, April 20.
- New postal votes deadline – 5pm on Tuesday, April 21.
- New proxy votes deadline – 5pm on Tuesday, April 28.
Find more information about postal and proxy voting on the Electoral Commission’s website.
What are the changes to the voting system in 2026?
The Senedd website contains a bank of useful information explaining the voting system changes – please access this for full details. A short summary is included below:
- There are now six seats per Senedd constituency.
- There has been a change from the ‘First Past the Post’ voting system to what is called a ‘Closed Proportional List’ system.
- This will see political parties listing up to eight candidates each, and they will be listed on the ballot paper alongside the individual Independent candidates.
- Each voter will get one vote, for a political party or an Independent candidate.
- Candidates elected to the Senedd will be calculated using the D’Hondt method, based on the total number of votes each party receives. It uses a process of highest averages to distribute seats one-by-one until all seats are filled.
What are the new constituencies covering Rhondda Cynon Taf?
In total, there are four constituencies that will cover the overall Council area of Rhondda Cynon Taf. These are Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, Afan Ogwr Rhondda, Caerdydd Fynnon Taf and Caerdydd Penarth – and the communities they cover are shown on this map:
In general terms, the Rhondda Cynon Taf communities covered by each constituency are listed below:
- Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr - Rhigos, Penderyn, Hirwaun, Penywaun, Aberaman, Abercynon, Aberdare, Llwydcoed, Cwmbach, Mountain Ash, Penrhiwceiber, Beddau, Tynant, Brynna, Llanharan, Cilfynydd, Glyn-coch, Ynysybwl, Trallwn, Graig, Pontypridd West, Pontypridd town, Treforest, Hawthorn, Rhydyfelin, Glyntaf, Llanharry, Llantrisant, Talbot Green, Llantwit Fardre, Tonteg, Church Village, a small area of Trehafod and Tylegarw.
*Please note, a small area of Trehafod (previously associated with Cymer in Rhondda) and the Tylegarw community (previously associated with Pontyclun West) are included within this new constituency. The constituency also includes the area of Merthyr Tydfil.
- Afan Ogwr Rhondda: Ferndale, Maerdy, Gilfach Goch, Llwynypia, Pentre, Penygraig, Porth, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail East, Tonyrefail West, Trealaw, Treherbert, Treorchy, Tylorstown, Ynyshir, Ystrad and Cymer minus a small area of Trehafod.
*The constituency also includes the areas of Port Talbot, Maesteg, an area around the Afan Valley, and Ogmore.
- Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf: Taffs Well.
*The constituency also includes the areas of Cardiff North and Cardiff East.
- Caerdydd Penarth: includes Pontyclun minus Tylegarw.
*The constituency also includes the areas of Cardiff West, Cardiff South and Penarth.
How do I check which constituency I’ll be voting in?
The Senedd website contains a useful constituency postcode finder function. This might be particularly useful for residents who live near the boundary of two of the new constituencies, to double-check which constituency their address falls under.
The name of a voter’s constituency will also be listed on their poll cards.
Where will my polling station be?
This information will be listed on voters’ poll cards, while the Council will also have a ‘Polling Station Finder’ function available on its website.
Who is running the four elections covering Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is administering the Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr constituency. Votes will be counted at Sobell Leisure Centre on Friday, May 8.
Neath Porth Talbot Council will be administering the Afan Ogwr Rhondda constituency.
Cardiff Council will be administering the Caerdydd Fynnon Taf and Caerdydd Penarth constituency.
Where can I find out more about elections and voting?
Please see the dedicated section of our website for more details about registering to vote, how to vote, and election results.