2026 Senedd Election – Your Vote Matters!

By Laura Griffiths

This blog post talks about:

• The barriers disabled people face to voting and democratic participation.
• The work we are doing through the Ready to Vote project to support people with a learning disability in Wales to vote.
• Important dates for the Senedd 2026 election.
• How you can get ready to vote.
• Where you can get accessible information about the election –  including our new Easy Read guide to the 2026 Senedd election.

Barriers to voting

Research from the UK, Europe and across the world consistently shows that disabled people are less likely to vote than non-disabled people. This is despite research also showing that disabled people are just as engaged with political issues as the wider population, and sometimes even more so.

In 2014 Mencap carried out a survey to find out what voting is like for people with a learning disability. They found out that:

• 70% of people with a learning disability said that they want to vote.
• 64% of people with a learning disability have felt unable to vote in past elections.
• 60% of people with a learning disability said that registering to vote was too hard.
• 17% of people with a learning disability said they had been turned away at a polling station because of their learning disability.

Many disabled voters still experience barriers to taking part in elections including:

• Not having accessible information about the voting process.
• Lack of information about using a supporter for help with voting.
• Inaccessible polling stations, for example buildings that are not suitable for wheelchair users, or assistive aids not being available to help voters.
• Polling station staff not having the training or confidence to support disabled voters.
• Political parties and candidates not making their campaigns accessible and inclusive, including Easy Read manifestos not being published at the same time as main manifestos.

Ready to Vote

In January 2026 Learning Disability Wales launched a new project called Ready to Vote project.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government’s Democratic Engagement Grant and aims to make politics and voting more accessible for people with a learning disability in Wales.

In the first year the project will focus on the 2026 Senedd election, and supporting people to take part by:

• Running workshops and training sessions for groups of people with a learning disability across Wales.
• Working with partners including the Electoral Commission and Boundary Commission to create and share accessible, bilingual information in English and Welsh about voting and elections.
• Hosting accessible hustings events, where people with a learning disability can meet their local candidates and discuss the issues important to them.

As part of the project, we have created 2 Easy Read guides to support people with a learning disability take part in the 2026 Senedd election:

Your guide to voting in the 2026 Senedd election

This guide:

• Explains what the Senedd is and what it does.
• Highlights why your vote is important.
• Explains who can vote and how to vote.
• Signposts readers to further help and information.

Senedd election 2026 guide for candidates

This guide:

• Helps political parties and candidates make their campaigns more accessible.
• Gives information about the Social Model of Disability, language, and providing accessible information.
• Gives a brief overview of some of the biggest issues and concerns people with a learning disability in Walea are facing.

If you’d like to find more Easy Read voting resources, take part in the project, or keep up to date with the work, please visit the Learning Disability Wales Ready to Vote project page.

Important dates

There are several key dates to be aware of in the run-up to the 2026 Senedd Election.

By this date the full list of candidates standing in your voting area will be confirmed.

You can use the Electoral Commission website to find who you candidates are, where your polling station is and who to contact if you need help: electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

You can also use the Who can I vote for website, to learn about the candidates in your voting area.

Deadline for registering to vote. You have until midnight on the 20 April to register. You cannot vote in person, by post or by proxy if you are not registered first.

You can register online here: gov.uk/register-to-vote

Deadline to apply for a postal vote.

To apply for a postal vote, you need to download, print and post a paper form, which you can find online here: gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote

If you need help with your form, contact your local Electoral Registration Office. You can find yours here: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026

Deadline to apply for a proxy vote.

To apply for a proxy vote for the 2026 Senedd election, you need to download, print and send a paper form. You can find out more on the Electoral Commission website. You cannot apply online for a proxy vote for the Senedd election.

If you need help, contact your local Electoral Registration Office. You can find yours here: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

Election day. You can go to the polling station named on your poll card between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 7 May to vote.

In an emergency

You have until 5pm on Thursday 7 May to:

• Apply for a replacement postal vote if you have lost it or made a mistake.
• Apply for an emergency proxy. But you must have a good reason and proof. For example, a medical emergency.

In an emergency, contact your local Electoral Registration Office straight away. You can find yours here: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

Getting ready for the election

What you can do:

You only need to register once, unless you change your name or address. If you’re not sure if you’re registered, contact your local Electoral Registration Office to check: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

The Electoral Commission has made a video about registering to vote: Electoral Commission how to register to vote video

Read up on what you need to do to vote and get prepared. There are links to accessible information at the end of this blog post, and you can also read our Easy Read guide to voting in the 2026 Senedd election.

It can be hard to decide who to vote for. Remember it is your choice and nobody can tell you who to vote for.

It can help to talk to family and friends about what matters to you. And check what the candidates and political parties in your voting area stand for.

To learn about the candidates and political parties in your area check the Who Can I Vote For website.

Political parties and candidates will share a manifesto, explaining what they believe in and what their plans are if they win. You can ask your local candidates if they have Easy Read versions of their manifestos.

Electoral Commission Video – Political Campaigning in Wales

Easy Read Manifestos – Political Parties:

Learning Disability Wales Manifesto 2026

All Wales People First Manifesto 2026

Disability Wales Manifesto 2026 – 2031

Carers and supporters often play an important role in helping people with a learning disability take part in elections. Research suggests 97% of people with a learning disability say they need help to vote.  You can help someone you care for to vote, find out more about supporting someone you care for:

• Guidance for Carers – My Vote My Voice website.
• Electoral Commission – Guide for carers supporting people to vote

If you think you might need help at the polling station, speak to your local Electoral Registration Office before election day. They organise elections in your local area. They can:

• Make sure you have the equipment you need to help you vote.
• Answer questions about your polling station.
• Help you plan your visit to the polling station.

You can find your local Electoral Registration Office here: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

There is more information about support for voting on the Vote.Wales website.

You can also check if your polling station is accessible on the Vote.Wales website. Put your postcode in to find your polling station. The website will tell you things like if there is disabled parking, if there are steps and ramps, and if the building has a hearing loop.

More help and accessible information

The Electoral Management Board, part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, has made a new website called Vote.Wales. The website is a trusted source of information about voting, and includes Easy Read information about:

• How the voting system works
• How to vote at a polling station
• How to vote by post
• How to vote by proxy
• What support you can get to vote
• Who can vote
• What the Senedd is
• What the Senedd does

Other helpful resources:

• Learning Disability Wales – Easy Read guide to voting in the 2026 Senedd election
• Electoral Commission helpline: 0800 328 0280 – they can help you register to vote or help you contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
• Senedd video – How are Members of the Senedd elected?
• Senedd PDF – Easy Read guide to changes to the Senedd
• Electoral Commission video – Wales 2026 Voter Information. This video explains how the voting system works and how to mark your vote on your ballot paper.
• Electoral Commission – Mock ballot paper
• UK Government Easy Read guide to registering to vote
• UK Government Easy Read guide to applying for a postal vote
• UK Government Easy Read guide to applying for a proxy vote

Taking a little time to prepare for the election can make voting feel much easier. With the right accessible information and support, people with a learning disability can take part with confidence.

Voting is one way to have your voice heard. Everyone deserves the chance to understand the process, make their own choice, and take part in decisions that affect their lives.