Written question WQ89491

The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill will place a duty on the Llywydd to table a motion, to establish a Senedd Committee to review the operation and effect of the Act as well as to review the extent to which the elements of a healthy democracy are present in Wales. The review provisions would also allow the Committee to include, within its report, an assessment of any other Senedd Reform issues that it considers relevant, such as an assessment of turnout levels and an exploration of proposals for how this may be increased.

We are working to promote participation in democratic processes through our Democratic Engagement Grant, which supports organisations to increase voter participation and ensure that every citizen can play their full part in our democracy. We are currently supporting 17 projects that work directly with individuals and communities to understand the barriers to participation and to overcome these through education and support.

Supporting citizens to vote at Senedd elections is the responsibility of us all, not just government and other public bodies. We, as Members of the Senedd and political parties, must support better information, better campaigning and better engagement to ensure turnout is as high as possible at the next election.