60% of Welsh voters unaware of how new system will work in May elections

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Bethan McKernan Wales correspondentMarch 4, 2026 at 02:33 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

A recent report by Cardiff University and YouGov reveals that a significant portion of Welsh voters are uninformed about the upcoming Senedd elections in May. The poll of over 1,500 people found that nearly 60% are unaware of the new "closed list" voting system. Furthermore, confusion persists regarding the division of powers between the Welsh and UK governments, with many unsure which government controls key policy areas like health, education, and policing. Researchers suggest that reliance on UK-wide media, which often lacks specific Welsh coverage, contributes to this lack of awareness. The study raises concerns about democratic accountability, emphasizing the need for improved public access to political information before the election.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Scotland 40% Cardiff Bay 50% Westminster ×250% YouGov 60% Cardiff University 60% Eluned Morgan 60% United Kingdom ×460% Rhun ap Iorwerth 60% Welsh Government 70% Senedd 70% Stephen Cushion ×270% Wales ×790%

Keywords

welsh voters 90% senedd elections 80% devolution powers 80% political awareness 70% voting system 70% welsh government 60% public access to information 50% uk-wide media 50% media consumption 50%