The 2026 Senedd Election is coming up this May and if you’re 16 to 18 years old living in Carmarthenshire, then this event is for you!

From the cost of your bus fare to the mental health support in your school, the people elected this May will be making the decisions that shape your daily life. Politicians usually spend a lot of time talking about young people but on Thursday, 12th March, we’re making them talk to you.

We are bringing Senedd candidates to the Halliwell Centre in Carmarthen to give young people first-hand experience of the democratic process, by giving you the opportunity to meet, discuss and question your local candidates and party representatives on the issues that matter most as first time voters.

If you want your school or college to be part of the conversation, talk to your teachers and ask them to email us on info@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.

BE READY

Foothold Cymru’s ‘Future Changemaker’ project is offering to visit schools before the event to run workshops. They’ll break down how the democratic process works so you can walk into the Halliwell Centre feeling ready to hold the candidates to account. You can reach out to Anneli at anneli@footholdcymru.org.uk to set this up.

FOR THE STAFF

It’s not just for pupils. The Senedd Cymru Engagement Team will be running a ‘training the trainer’ session for accompanying staff. They’ll be sharing resources to help bring democracy into the curriculum back at school.

Don’t let someone else decide your future.
Come along, ask the questions, and make sure your voice is heard in 2026.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Senedd makes decisions on the things you deal with every day: your education, public transport, the environment, and the NHS in Wales. This year’s election is different, for the first time, the Senedd is expanding to 96 members and the voting system is changing to a “closed list” system. Essentially, you’ll be voting for a party or an independent candidate to represent your area.

Make them listen: This is your chance to highlight the issues you actually care about, like climate change, mental health support, or local transport right direct to candidates.

Meet the candidates: a chance to meet and find out the views of the people asking for your vote.

Be ready to vote: If you aren’t on the register, you don’t get a say – as simple as that. So we can support and help make sure you’re registered to vote.

Start the conversation back at school: You and your teachers can be shown resources, workshop ideas, and information that you can take back to your schools to help start the conversation in your own classroom.

The “Receipts” Check: Bring a notebook to jot down specific promises they make. If they get elected, you’ll have the “receipts” to hold them to it later.

Networking: There will be time at the end of the event to chat with Youth Council Members and other pupils there. It’s a great way to find out if people from other schools share the same views about the same things as you – there’s power in numbers.

Most candidates hang around for a few minutes after the event ends. If you are too nervous to ask a question in front of your small group, you could just walk up and talk to them afterwards.

Staff from the Participation Team, Foothold Cymru, Senedd and the Politics Project will have information stands and are availble if you have any questions.

CONNECTED:  EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE PLACE:
Your Local Council’s Youth Team
Future Changemaker Project at Foothold Cymru
The Politics Project
Senedd
Elections and Voting Carmarthenshire
Register to Vote

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