Non-party campaigners: Local campaigning at Senedd by-elections on or before 6 May 2026

Local non-party campaigners can spend up to £500 on campaigning for or against one or more individual candidates in a constituency.1  This is known as the permitted sum. It applies once the candidate is officially a candidate.

The earliest someone can officially become a candidate is on the date the vacancy occurs. You can find more information about when people become candidates in our guidance for candidates and agents at Senedd by-elections.

You should keep a record of your spending, to make sure that you do not exceed the permitted sum.

You can only spend over the permitted sum if it is authorised in writing by a candidate or agent at the election.2  The authorised spending will be candidate spending and will count towards the candidate’s spending limit.3  If you have been authorised to incur candidate spending, you should read our guidance for candidates and agents.