Record Turnout and High Satisfaction Mark 2026 Senedd Election, but Abuse and Misinformation Pose Risks

Voters in Wales turned out in record numbers for the 2026 Senedd election, with turnout reaching 51.7% — the highest ever recorded at a Welsh Parliament election and the first time it has exceeded half of the electorate. The landmark figure was accompanied by strong public confidence in the electoral process, according to new research published by the Electoral Commission. The report reveals that 94% of voters in Wales were satisfied with the process of voting, while 86% expressed confidence that the elections were well run. Furthermore, 99% of voters said it was easy to complete their ballot paper, and 97% were aware that the Senedd election was taking place. These results paint a picture of an election that was not only well attended but also broadly accepted as accessible and well administered, despite the significant structural changes that were introduced for the first time in this contest. The findings are likely to be welcomed by electoral administrators, political parties and campaign groups across Wales, who had worked for months to prepare voters for a transformed electoral landscape. The Senedd election was the first to be held under a new voting system, with redrawn constituencies and an expanded number of Members of the Senedd, meaning that the scale of change was considerable and the potential for confusion was high. The Commission’s research suggests that, for the most part, voters navigated those changes successfully, and that the efforts of electoral officials and partner organisations helped to maintain trust in the democratic process.

The 2026 election represented a significant shift in how Wales elects its Parliament. The introduction of a new voting system, new constituency boundaries and an increase in the number of Senedd Members meant that voters were asked to engage with an electoral process that was materially different from previous contests. Electoral administrators worked tirelessly to deliver these complex changes, and the Electoral Commission said it worked closely with stakeholders across Wales to run an integrated programme of public awareness, education and partnership work designed to raise awareness of the changes and encourage participation. The success of those efforts is reflected in the turnout figure, which surpassed 50% for the first time, as well as in the high levels of satisfaction recorded among voters. The Commission’s data show that the public broadly understood the practical aspects of voting: nearly all voters said they found it easy to complete their ballot paper, and awareness of the election was almost universal. This suggests that the combination of official guidance, media coverage and community engagement succeeded in reaching large numbers of people. However, the report also cautions that there remain areas of concern, particularly around public understanding of the new voting system itself. While most voters were aware that the system had changed, 31% of people said they were not confident they understood how the new system worked, and 17% were not aware that the system had changed at all. These gaps in understanding are significant, especially at a time when electoral systems are becoming more complex and when misinformation and disinformation are increasingly prevalent. The Commission has therefore called for continued investment in voter education and for a renewed focus on ensuring that all electors, including first-time voters, have the information they need to participate confidently in future elections.

One of the most concerning findings in the report relates to the experiences of candidates. According to the Commission’s candidate survey, 54% of candidates said they experienced problems with harassment, intimidation or threats during the election campaign, with women more likely to report experiencing abuse. This is a strikingly high figure and raises serious questions about the safety and sustainability of standing for public office in Wales. The report warns that without improvements to candidate safety, there is a significant risk that people will be put off standing in future elections, which would have damaging consequences for the diversity and quality of democratic representation. Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission Wales, highlighted the issue in his comments accompanying the report, noting that rising levels of candidate abuse are a growing concern. He called on political parties to promote respectful campaigning and on both the Welsh and UK governments and social media platforms to take action to protect voters from misinformation and to remove abusive content. The findings add to a growing body of evidence across the UK that politicians and candidates are increasingly facing hostility and abuse, both online and in person, and that this is having a chilling effect on political participation. The Commission’s report makes clear that addressing this issue must be a priority for all those involved in the democratic process, and that a coordinated approach involving parties, platforms and public bodies is required to ensure that elections remain open, safe and inclusive.

The spread of misinformation and deepfake material during the election also emerges as a major concern. More than half of people surveyed said they saw misinformation ahead of the election, and 12% said they saw deepfake material. These findings reflect a broader trend across modern democracies, where the rapid spread of false or misleading content online is increasingly difficult for voters to identify and for regulators to control. The Commission expressed particular concern about the impact of misinformation on public confidence and on voters’ ability to make informed decisions. At the same time, the report highlights a worrying gap in democratic education for young people. Only 35% of 16- to 17-year-olds reported learning anything in school or college ahead of the election about voting, elections or how democracy works. This is despite the fact that 16- and 17-year-olds are entitled to vote in Senedd elections, making them an important part of the electorate. The Commission said that young people continue to tell them they want more democratic education in school so that they can navigate a changing electoral landscape and participate effectively in democracy. Thomas reiterated the Commission’s commitment to working with the Welsh Government and partners to ensure that young people in Wales have access to high-quality, impartial democratic education and are able to navigate mis- and disinformation. The report calls for action from governments, schools and social media companies to address both the supply of false information and the ability of voters, especially young voters, to critically assess what they see online.

The research published by the Electoral Commission is based on a public opinion survey conducted by YouGov, with a total sample size of 1,771 adults. Fieldwork was carried out online between 8 May and 1 June 2026, and the figures have been weighted to be representative of all adults aged 16 and over in Wales. In addition to the public survey, the Commission’s candidate survey was run in partnership with Dr Sofia Collignon and Dr Wolfgang Rüdig of the Mile End Institute at Queen Mary University of London, providing detailed insights into the experiences of those who stood for election. Alongside the report, the Commission also published individual candidate spending returns from the Senedd election, giving voters transparency over the money spent during the campaign. The data show that most candidates who stood represented a political party, with just 30 individual candidates standing. Party spending returns are due to be published at a later date. The Electoral Commission also published reports on the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections and local elections in England on the same day, reflecting its role in overseeing elections across the United Kingdom. These parallel reports will allow for comparison and learning across different electoral systems and regions, and will inform the Commission’s ongoing advice to governments and parliaments on how to improve the delivery and integrity of elections.

The Electoral Commission is the independent body that oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. It was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Welsh and Scottish Parliaments. Its work is focused on enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, regulating political finance, and advocating for changes to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency in democracy. In Wales, the Commission has played a central role in supporting the administration of Senedd elections and in working with partners to encourage voter participation. The latest report highlights both the successes of the 2026 election and the challenges that remain. While the record turnout and high levels of voter satisfaction are encouraging signs, the Commission has made clear that action is needed to protect candidates from abuse, to counter misinformation, to improve public understanding of new voting systems, and to strengthen democratic education for young people. The report identifies these as key priorities for the future and sets out a clear agenda for governments, political parties, social media companies and civil society. Rhydian Thomas said that the continuing trend of high voter satisfaction and increased turnout were encouraging signs, and that partners across Wales, including returning officers, electoral administrators, candidates, police forces, charities and civil society organisations, had worked closely to ensure the polls were delivered successfully and voters understood how to participate. But he warned that without improvements to candidate safety, there is a significant risk that people will be put off standing in future elections, and that more must be done to protect voters from misinformation and abuse. The full report is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with the candidate spending data and the reports on the Scottish and English elections.