Senedd 2026 Elections: Key Changes and What They Mean for Newport Communities
- Dan Coast
- Mar 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 2
The Senedd election on Thursday 7 May 2026 will bring one of the biggest overhauls to Wales’s voting system since the Senedd was formed. With a new electoral model, redrawn constituencies and updated rules on how Members of the Senedd (MSs) are elected, communities across Newport will notice significant changes at the ballot box.
This article breaks down what’s changing, how it affects local voters and how community organisations can play an active role in supporting your members to be aware of the changes made and in registering to vote, as well as hosting your own hustings events and reading the manifestos and asks from the Third sector to the next government.
A New Electoral Model for Wales
The 2026 election introduces a Closed List Voting System, replacing the previous dual‑vote approach used in Senedd elections since 1999.
How the new system works
Voters now cast one vote for a political party, not an individual candidate.
Each party provides a ranked list of candidates for every Senedd constituency, these won't be on the ballot papers so you may need to do your own research on who is on each parties list, Click the link below to see this in more detail for Newport and other areas.
Seats are allocated using the D’Hondt proportional method, aiming to better reflect the overall support each party receives.
This change is designed to create a more representative and proportional Senedd.
Boundary Changes: What They Mean for Newport?
Wales has moved from 40 constituencies to 16 larger multi‑member constituencies. These expanded areas each elect 6 MSs to represent the area rather than 1 local and 4 additional Regional Ms's.
Impact on Newport voters
We are now part of a wider, newly drawn constituency that includes the whole of Newport and parts of Caerphilly (Main areas of population include Abercarn, Blackwood, Caerleon, Newbridge, Newport, Risca)
A total of 6 MSs will therefore represent your constituency after the election.
Ballot papers will look different, reflecting the new single vote for a party rather than an individually named candidate to represent you.
These changes aim to create more balanced representation across Wales. Further information and an example of what the voting papers will look like can be found here - Senedd election 2026: What will my vote look like?
Finding Out Who Is Standing to represent Newport
Candidate lists will only be finalised after the nomination deadline
Voters can find details on candidates, parties and manifestos via the button below:
Note: The complete list of nominated candidates will be available on or after 9th April 2026.
How Local Groups Are Already Engaging
At the end of 2025, the Newport Carers Forum hosted a successful Question Time‑style hustings, enabling carers to directly challenge Senedd candidates on issues that affect them daily.
The event empowered carers to speak openly about their experiences and ensured politicians heard directly from those their decisions impact most and will hopefully consider it for parties' manifestos and then in action once the new Senedd has formed.
Taking into consideration the needs of the wider third sector in Wales the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) have created a manifesto which has been put to the leading parties to ask them to urging the next Welsh Government to introduce a Voluntary Sector Partnership (Wales) Act – building on and accelerating existing commitments to unlock fairer funding, embed collaboration and empower the sector to thrive.
You can read more about this and the manifesto's key 5 asks below
Fair funding duty
Short-term, reactive funding cycles hold us back. They limit strategic planning, destabilise staffing and drain precious resource through constant bidding and reporting. This affects not just the voluntary sector, but our ability to work effectively with public services.
A fair funding duty changes that.
It makes core, multi-year, inflation-linked funding with full-cost recovery the default
Underpinned by the revised Funding Code of Practice, it also helps put a preventative agenda front-and-centre, reducing bureaucracy, enabling retention of skilled staff and unlocking long-term, meaningful impact
Volunteering duty
Volunteering doesn’t just happen. It needs structure, support and resources.
Right now, people’s lives are changing as they adapt to higher living costs and other challenges. Volunteers and potential volunteers face changing barriers to participation, and organisations lack the resources and capacity to adapt in response. This makes it difficult to recruit, train and retain volunteers.
A volunteering duty changes that.
It puts the New Approach to Volunteering in Wales on a statutory footing
With targeted investment aimed at reducing existing barriers, it will improve the accessibility of opportunities to volunteer. Volunteers deserve more than thanks. They deserve a system that backs them and supports the communities they serve
Communities' duty
Our communities are rich in ideas, energy and resilience, but too often they lack the tools to forge their own futures. Access to shared spaces is patchy. Community-led services are underfunded. And the systems meant to support local action are slow, unclear or inconsistent. We need a framework that enables communities to thrive and unlocks their power.
A communities duty does just that. Co-produced with the voluntary sector, it would provide clear direction, funding and guidance to support:
Community assets – including a ‘Community Right to Buy’ and accelerated asset transfer processes
Community resilience – enabling local energy projects, and building emergency response capacity
Community cohesion – tackling disconnection and division through preventative action
Community services – ensuring equal access to well-being support across all areas and demographics
Partnership duty
The voluntary sector is a trusted, independent partner – not just a stakeholder to consult. For over a decade, the Third Sector Scheme has provided a formal mechanism for engagement with Welsh Government. It has been valuable, but it is time for a refresh. The sector’s insight, reach and expertise are underused – and Wales misses out as a result.
A partnership duty changes that.
It refreshes the Third Sector Scheme with clear, enforceable standards for engagement, accountability and data sharing between the voluntary sector, Welsh Government, local authority and health partners
It draws on the evolving best practice across the UK’s nations and ensures the sector is embedded in decision-making – early, consistently and with purpose
A partnership duty ensures we are invited to the table early, heard when we get there, and shape delivery alongside partners
Oversight duty
Other Groups Manifesto's:
How Groups Can Host Their Own Hustings
Community‑led hustings offer a powerful way to raise local priorities with candidates. Below is a simple step‑by‑step guide for organisations considering hosting their own event.
1. Set Clear Aims
Decide what you want to achieve—for example:
Highlighting the main issues your members face
Helping candidates understand your community’s needs
Creating a neutral, respectful space for discussion
2. Choose the Format
Popular formats include:
A chaired Q&A panel
Pre‑submitted questions
Topic‑based discussions (e.g., health, cost of living, local services)
3. Invite All Candidates
To stay impartial:
Invite all candidates/parties standing locally
Send invitations early
Offer equal access and speaking time
(Use Who Can I Vote For? once the full candidate list is published.)
4. Select an Accessible, Neutral Venue
Good options include:
Community centres
Schools
Libraries or hubs
Ensure the venue meets accessibility needs (step‑free access, lighting, hearing loops, etc.).
5. Prepare Community‑Led Questions
Encourage members to contribute questions based on real‑life experiences. Questions should be:
Clear
Fair
Relevant to Senedd powers (health, social care, education, transport, housing, environment)
6. Use a Neutral Facilitator
Choose a chairperson who can:
Remain impartial
Keep the discussion balanced
Ensure every candidate is heard
7. Promote the Event Widely
Use:
Social media
Newsletters
Community networks
Partner organisations
Make it clear the event is non‑party‑political and open to all.
8. Set Ground Rules
At the start of the event, establish expectations:
No interruptions
Respect all speakers
No campaign materials inside the venue
9. Follow Up Afterwards
Share:
Key themes raised
Any commitments candidates made
Actions your group will take next
This helps build accountability and strengthens community engagement.
Upcoming Hustings you may wish to attend:
Key dates
7 January 2026: Regulated period begins
27 March 2026: Last day of Senedd business
8 April 2026: Dissolution of Senedd
20 April 2026: Deadline for registration to vote (See link below)
7 May 2026: Polling day
8 May 2026: Counting and results
28 May 2026: Deadline for the first meeting of the Senedd
3 June 2026: Deadline to nominate new First Minister
