Record Turnout and High Voter Confidence Mark Historic 2026 Senedd Election, New Report Reveals
Voters in Wales turned out in record numbers for the 2026 Senedd election, with turnout reaching 51.7% – the highest ever recorded at any Senedd election and the first time it has surpassed the 50% threshold, according to new research published by the Electoral Commission. The landmark figure represents a significant surge in democratic participation and signals growing public engagement with Welsh devolved politics. Alongside the historic turnout, public confidence in the electoral process remains remarkably high, with 94% of voters in Wales expressing satisfaction with the voting process and 86% stating they were confident that the elections were well run. The research, conducted by YouGov Plc with a sample of 1,771 adults between 8 May and 1 June 2026, also found that 99% of voters said it was easy to complete their ballot paper, and 97% were aware that Senedd elections were taking place. These figures paint a picture of an election that was not only widely accessible but also effectively communicated to the electorate, with voters feeling empowered and informed when they went to the polls.
The 2026 Senedd election brought significant and complex changes for voters, including a new voting system, newly drawn constituencies, and an increase in the number of Members of the Senedd. The successful delivery of these changes was no small feat. Electoral administrators across Wales worked tirelessly to manage the logistical complexities of the reformed electoral landscape, ensuring that polling stations operated smoothly and that voters could navigate the new system with ease. The Electoral Commission played a central coordinating role, working closely with stakeholders to run an integrated programme of public awareness, education, and partnership work designed to raise awareness of the changes and encourage participation. This concerted effort appears to have paid off, as evidenced by the record turnout and the extremely high levels of voter satisfaction. The Commission’s report underscores that the headline success of the election was built on a foundation of meticulous planning and cross-organisational collaboration, involving Returning Officers, electoral administrators, candidates, police forces, charities, and civil society organisations across Wales. The high levels of accessibility and the smooth running of the polls stand as a testament to the professionalism and dedication of those tasked with delivering democracy on the ground.
Despite the celebratory tone of the turnout figures, the Electoral Commission’s report also highlights several serious and troubling issues that require urgent attention for future elections. Chief among these is the alarming prevalence of harassment, intimidation, and threats directed at candidates standing for election. A staggering 54% of candidates reported experiencing some form of abuse during the campaign, with women being disproportionately targeted and more likely to experience such behaviour. This toxic environment poses a significant threat to the health of Welsh democracy. If candidates feel unsafe or are deterred from standing for public office, the diversity and quality of representation will inevitably suffer. Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission Wales, addressed this directly, warning that “rising levels of candidate abuse and misinformation remain concerning. Without improvements to candidate safety, there is a significant risk that people will be put off standing in future elections.” The Commission’s report calls on political parties to promote respectful campaigning and urges both the Welsh and UK governments, as well as social media platforms, to take decisive action to remove abusive content and protect those who put themselves forward for public service. The data on candidate experiences was collected through the Commission’s May 2026 candidate survey, run in partnership with Dr Sofia Collignon and Dr Wolfgang Rudig of the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London.
Another major concern identified in the report is the widespread presence of misinformation and disinformation during the election campaign. More than half of people surveyed said they encountered misinformation ahead of the elections, and 12% reported seeing deepfake material – synthetic media designed to spread false information. This erosion of the information environment poses a fundamental challenge to the integrity of democratic debate. When voters are exposed to false or manipulated content, their ability to make informed decisions is compromised, and public trust in the electoral process can be undermined. Compounding this issue is a notable lack of public confidence in understanding the new voting system itself. While the overall satisfaction with the process was high, 31% of people said they were not confident they understood the new voting system, and 17% were not aware that the system had changed at all. This indicates a significant gap between the smooth administration of the election and the public’s grasp of the new electoral mechanics. The Commission argues that these figures highlight a critical need for enhanced voter education. Even as the mechanics of voting were easy to complete, the underlying understanding of how votes translate into seats remains opaque for a substantial portion of the electorate. This disconnect suggests that simply making the ballot paper easy to fill in is not enough; voters must also understand the broader system they are participating in.
The report also shines a spotlight on the democratic education of young people in Wales, with findings that will likely prompt calls for curriculum reform. Only 35% of 16–17-year-olds reported learning anything in school or college ahead of the election about voting, elections, or how democracy works. This is a starkly low figure, especially given that 16-year-olds are eligible to vote in Senedd elections. The Commission has repeatedly emphasised the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to participate effectively in democracy. In his statement, Rhydian Thomas stressed the need for action: “Young people continue to tell us they want more democratic education in school so they can navigate a changing electoral landscape and participate effectively in our democracy. We are committed to working with the Welsh Government and our partners to ensure young people in Wales have access to high-quality, impartial democratic education and can navigate mis and disinformation.” The lack of formal democratic education leaves young voters particularly vulnerable to misinformation and disaffection. By failing to teach young people how their political system works, how to critically evaluate sources of information, and why their vote matters, the education system is missing a crucial opportunity to build a resilient and engaged future electorate. The Commission’s repeated calls on this issue suggest it views democratic education not as a nice-to-have, but as a fundamental pillar of a functioning democracy, with the report urging the Welsh Government to prioritise this area.
Looking ahead, the Electoral Commission’s report serves as both a celebration of a successful election and a warning about the emerging threats to democratic integrity. The record turnout and high satisfaction scores demonstrate that the public in Wales is engaged and trusts the administration of elections. However, the high levels of candidate abuse, the proliferation of misinformation, and the gaps in public understanding and youth education represent significant vulnerabilities. The Commission’s recommendations are clear: political parties must foster respectful campaigning, governments and social media companies must act to curb online abuse and misinformation, and the education system must be revitalised to include robust and impartial democratic learning. The full report is available on the Commission’s website, and it comes alongside additional transparency measures. Individual candidate spending returns from the Senedd election have also been published on the same day, providing voters with insight into how much was spent during the campaign. The data shows that most candidates represented a political party, with just 30 independent candidates standing, and party spending returns will be published at a later date. Furthermore, the Commission has also released its reports on the 2026 Scottish Parliament and English local elections, offering a comprehensive overview of the health of democratic processes across the UK. As Wales moves forward, the findings from this report will be essential reading for policymakers, politicians, and citizens alike. The high engagement seen in 2026 is a positive sign, but the integrity of future elections will depend on how effectively the identified challenges are addressed. The Electoral Commission, as the independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance in the UK, has set out a clear agenda for change. Whether governments, parties, and platforms respond with the urgency required will determine whether Welsh democracy remains vibrant, safe, and truly representative in the years to come.
