Every seat in the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, is being contested today.

The outcome will decide who controls the Welsh government - responsible for lots of key services, including health, education, transport.

The number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) being elected, and the system being used to elect them, is different this year.

The number of MSs has been expanded from 60 to 96. There are 16 newly devised constituencies, with each electing six MSs.

It won't be the old mix of first-past-the-post and a proportional system, instead it will be a new system known as the D'Hondt method - we'll have more on this in our next post.

Image source, Getty Images

If you realise at the last minute that you will not be able to vote in person, you can also ask someone else - a proxy - to cast your vote on your behalf.

You can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external until 17:00 BST on polling day.

Both you and your proxy must already have registered to vote.

There are no elections being held today in Northern Ireland - the next local council and Assembly elections are scheduled for May 2027.

Why? Here's a 35-second explainer:

Image source, Reuters

Polling stations have now opened across the country.

All of Wales and Scotland are heading to the polls to decide who will govern their countries.

In England, voters will be picking around 5,000 councillors across 136 local authorities - as well as six mayors.

• For more on the different votes taking place, here are the contests at-a-glance
• Heading to the polls? Look up who you can vote for using our postcode tool
• We've also got a checklist of what to take with you - and a guide to the dos-and-don'ts

Polls close at 22:00, with the first results expected to come in overnight. We’ll be providing live updates throughout.

Image source, Reuters

If you're about to head out to your local polling station, here's a quick guide to what you can and can't do when voting in person.

Can you take your own pen or pencil?

Writing implements are provided but you can bring your own if you wish.

Do you have to bring your own polling card?

If you are registered to vote, external, you will be sent a polling card with your polling number and polling station details.

You do not need to take the polling card with you but it might speed up the process.

Do you need photo ID to vote in person?

Voters in England need to take valid photo ID to vote in person. You do not need ID to vote in the Scottish Parliament or Senedd elections.

Can you take children with you?

Bringing children to the polling station is encouraged, to help educate them about democracy.

But they are not allowed to mark your vote on the ballot paper.

What about your pet?

Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations.

However, other dogs can be admitted at the discretion of the local authority.

Can you take a selfie?

You are not allowed to take photos inside a polling station because the Electoral Commission - which oversees UK elections - says it risks the secrecy of the ballot.

People are welcome to take photos outside.

Can you vote in any polling station?

You can only vote at your local polling station, which might not be the same as in previous elections. You can find your local polling station here., external

Can you vote after 22:00 when the polls officially close?

Polling stations are open between 07:00 BST and 22:00. You can vote after 22:00 as long as you were already in the queue at that point.

• For a more in-depth guide, click here

Image source, PA Media

First, you need to be registered to vote. The deadline to do so passed a while ago now - but if you’re unsure if you've registered, you can check here, external.

You do not need ID to vote in person in the Scottish Parliament or Senedd elections - but everyone voting in person in the local elections in England does.

More than 20 forms of ID, external will be accepted, including:

• Passports
• Driving licences
• Older or Disabled Person's bus passes
• Oyster 60+ cards
• Armed Forces Veteran Cards

You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.

In some areas, you might get several ballot papers for different elections, such as voting for your council and mayor.

Staff at the polling stations are there to help. They’ll give you your ballot papers, mark the registers and make sure you know what to do.

Image source, Reuters

This is a huge set of elections and they matter because they will decide who runs the services we rely on every day.

But what you'll get the chance to vote for will depend on where you live. Here's a closer look at the contests:

Voters in Scotland are electing a new national parliament

• All 129 seats in Holyrood - the Scottish Parliament - are up for election

• There are 73 constituency members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and 56 regional MSPs (that's seven per region)
• Voters get two ballots, one for each race

As are voters in Wales

• Every seat in the Welsh Parliament - the Senedd - will be contested
• The number of members of the Senedd (MSs) is being expanded from 60 to 96, representing 16 newly created constituencies

In England, about 5,000 seats across 136 councils are being contested

• For some councils, every seat will be up for grabs. Others will be electing only some of their representatives today, and other areas will have no elections at all
• Six mayoral contests are also being held - in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford

Emily Atkinson
Live editor

Image source, PA Media

Today, millions of people across the UK will head to the polls for the biggest set of elections since Labour took office in 2024.

The key thing to know is this is not a general election - seats in Westminster will remain unchallenged.

Voters in Scotland and Wales will get to decide who governs their countries, though.

All seats in their national parliaments - responsible for services we rely on daily such as health and housing - are up for grabs.

And in England, for the taking are around 5,000 seats across 136 local councils, in addition to six mayoralties. They're in charge of other key services, like social care, libraries and bins.

So, lots of contests, in lots of places, all happening at once.

Polls open in less than an hour at 07:00 BST and close at 22:00, with the first results expected to come in overnight.

We’ll be providing live updates throughout, with plenty of analysis and reaction as events unfold later on.

• Before that, a reminder to use our postcode tool to look up who you can vote for