Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020

The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1) (Welsh: Deddf Senedd ac Etholiadau (Cymru) 2020) is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales that was given royal assent on 15 January 2020. It was first detailed in February 2019 by way of an Explanatory Memorandum.[1]

Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020
Act of the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
Long titleAn Act of the National Assembly for Wales to rename the National Assembly for Wales, to extend the right to vote in Senedd elections, to amend the law relating to disqualification from membership of the Senedd, to make provision regarding oversight of the work of the Electoral Commission, to make miscellaneous changes to the law relating to the government of Wales and for related purposes.
Introduced byElin Jones AM
Territorial extentWales
Dates
Royal assent15 January 2020
Commencement15 January 2020 (most sections)
1 June 2020 for the expansion of the franchise in any elections
6 May 2020 for the new name Senedd Cymru or Welsh Parliament
5 April 2021 for rules disqualifying holders of other offices from becoming members of the Senedd
Other legislation
AmendsGovernment of Wales Act 2006
Representation of the People Act 1983
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Act will for the first time in Wales afford 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote, beginning with the 2021 Senedd Election.[2] 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.[2] The franchise will also be extended to "eligible foreign nationals".[2]

The Act also changes the name of the legislature to "Senedd Cymru" or "the Welsh Parliament".[2] 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.[2] Guidance issued following the passage of the Act suggests that the institution is to be commonly known as the 'Senedd' in both English and Welsh.[3]

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,[2] and by ensuring that the Electoral Commission is funded by and accountable to the Senedd for Welsh elections.[2]

The Bill was agreed by the Assembly on 27 November 2019.[4] It became an Act following Royal Assent on 15 January 2020.[5] The contents of the act were implemented in May 2020.[5]

References
  1. "Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill Explanatory Memorandum: Incorporating the Regulatory Impact Assessment and Explanatory Notes" (PDF). Senedd Cymru. February 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  2. "16 and 17 year olds get right to vote - a historic day for democracy in Wales". National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  3. "Name Change Information". National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  4. "Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill" (PDF). National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  5. "Historic Act enables voting for 16 and 17 year olds – renames Assembly to "Welsh Parliament"". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
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