Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020

The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 () is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. It was first detailed in February 2019 by way of an Explanatory Memorandum.

The Act will for the first time in Wales afford 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote, beginning with the Welsh General Election in 2021. The decision is the largest franchise extension in Wales since 1969, when the Representation of the People Act 1969 reduced the voting age from 21 to 18. The franchise will also be extended to "eligible foreign nationals".

The Act also changes the official name of the legislature to "Senedd Cymru" in Welsh and the "Welsh Parliament" in English. The decision was controversial and saw much debate in the Chamber between those who favoured the single name Senedd and those (led by former First Minister Carwyn Jones) who sought to include a bilingual element.

The law has also been changed so that disqualified individuals are prohibited from taking up a seat in the Senedd rather than being prohibited from standing for election, and by ensuring that the Electoral Commission is funded by and accountable to the Senedd for Welsh elections.

The Bill was agreed by the Assembly on 27 November 2019. It became an Act following Royal Assent on 15 January 2020. The contents of the bill will be implemented in May 2020.

References

External links 

 http://senedd.assembly.wales Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill 2019 as passed

Category:Measures of the National Assembly for Wales
Category:Constitutional laws of Wales
Category:2020 in Wales
Category:2020 in British law
Category:2020 in British politics