Written question WQ100132
- Asked by
- Art WrightReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 20 days
Question
What specific changes to the franchise is the Welsh Government asking to be examined in the research commissioned by the Cabinet Minister, announced on 18 June 2026?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
Section 38 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 requires Welsh Ministers to publish and lay a report before the 7 November 2026 on the operation of the provisions of that Act relating to:
giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in Senedd elections; giving qualifying foreign citizens the right to vote in Senedd elections; allowing qualifying foreign citizens to become Members of the Senedd; and preventing members of county and county borough councils in Wales from also being Members of the Senedd.
The research will relate to the operation of these existing provisions, rather than any further changes to the franchise.