**Doubts Raised Over Automatic Voter Registration in Wales Before Next Senedd Election**
Future plans to automatically enrol every eligible voter in Wales ahead of the 2026 Senedd election have come under scrutiny, with senior Welsh Government figures now warning that initial ambitions may have been overly optimistic. The move, designed to make voting more accessible and potentially boost registration numbers by hundreds of thousands, is now facing a raft of logistical and legislative hurdles.
At present, Welsh residents must actively register to vote. Local councils are tasked with verifying the accuracy of the electoral register, seeking new voters and inviting them to join the list, which can be a time-consuming process. Proposals discussed by the Welsh Government sought to reverse this requirement, instead enrolling voters without need for individual applications. Supporters hope that such a shift could see registration numbers increase by an estimated 400,000, broadening democratic participation significantly.
Several pilot schemes designed to test the automatic registration process have been underway in various Welsh counties, including Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd, Newport and Powys. These trials were meant to pave the way ahead of the next major Senedd vote, providing valuable data and insights on the proposed system’s effectiveness and any challenges that might arise.
However, during a recent Senedd session on Tuesday, July 8th, concerns over the feasibility of this timeline were plainly discussed. Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS) Adam Price pressed First Minister Eluned Morgan to clarify whether the government still intended for automatic registration to be in place for the 2026 election, citing earlier reassurances given by the former Counsel General.
First Minister Morgan stopped short of confirming that the original commitment would be met. She emphasised the ‘realism and practicality’ required at this stage, noting that several significant steps remain before nationwide implementation could realistically occur. The pilots, she explained, will continue through to the end of September, after which the Electoral Commission will assess their success and report its findings by December.
Ms Morgan pointed to a variety of obstacles that stand between the present and a full rollout. Evaluating the results of the pilots is just the beginning; further steps will include drafting and passing secondary legislation, thoroughly assessing any required updates to software and administration, and ensuring councils are ready to adopt the new processes. The automatic registration system would represent a substantial change for local authorities and election bodies, demanding careful transition to avoid confusion or errors.
A further challenge lies in adhering to the so-called Gould Principle, a guideline stating that electoral law should not be amended less than six months before it impacts an election. With the 2026 Senedd election drawing closer, this principle could curtail any last-minute changes to registration procedures, potentially delaying their introduction further.
“It’s going to be a tall order to deliver all of this within a period of about three months,” admitted Morgan. She highlighted that local authorities themselves have voiced concerns over the ambitious timeline, and the Electoral Commission has indicated a preference for thorough testing and evaluation before any widespread changes are made.
The delay, while disappointing to advocates of electoral reform, underscores the complexity of modernising voting systems and ensuring robust democratic processes. Observers acknowledge the potential benefits of automatic voter registration, particularly in growing accessibility and increasing engagement, but also note that ensuring the process is secure, comprehensive and accurate is of paramount importance.
As the Welsh Government and electoral bodies continue to review the pilot schemes, all eyes will be on their forthcoming evaluation reports. Whether automatic registration is ready in time for the next Senedd election remains uncertain, but the dialogue has pushed forward important conversations about inclusivity, participation and the mechanics of Welsh democracy.