Register to Vote

Upcoming Scottish Parliament Elections are taking place on the 6th of May 2021! Time to register your right to vote is running out! Register before it's too late. 

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday the 19th of April.

This page includes all the relevant links and information you might need.

Who can vote?

You can vote in Scottish elections if you are registered to vote, will be 16 or over on polling day, and are:

  • a British or Irish citizen, or
  • a Commonwealth citizen who has leave to remain in the UK, or does not require such leave, or
  • a citizen of a European Union country, or
  • a qualifying foreign national who has permission to enter or remain in the UK, or who does not need such permission

 

Registering to vote

  • You must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 19 April.
  • You can register now at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
  • Students need to make sure they’re registered at the address they want to vote at.
  • They have the option to register at their term-time address and their home address but can only vote at one address.

 

What do I do if I have questions regarding registering to vote?

Contact your Electoral Registration officers:

 

How to vote?

There are three different ways you can vote. You can choose the way that suits you.

      1. In person at your polling place on Thursday 6 May

  • You will receive a poll card in the post, which tells you where your polling place is.
  • Due to Covid-19, there will be hygiene measures in place.
  • When you arrive, a staff member will ask for your name and address and give you your ballot papers.
  • You will go into the polling booth to complete your ballot papers, then fold them up and put them in the ballot box.
  • Polling places are open 7am to 10pm.

      2. By Post

  • If you want to vote by post, you need to register for a postal vote with your electoral registration office by 5pm on 6 April 2021 – but the sooner the better.
  • You can download an application form by visiting electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter, or you can ask your local electoral registration office to send one to you.
  • You will receive your ballot papers by post. Complete and return your ballot papers, leaving enough time for them to arrive by 10pm on Thursday 6 May

      3. By proxy (allowing someone you trust to vote on your behalf)

  • You can also ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and your trusted person is called your proxy
  • If you want to vote by proxy you need to register for a proxy vote with your electoral registration office by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April
  • You can download an application form by visiting electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter, or, you can ask your electoral registration office to send one to you.
  • In an emergency where you cannot go to the polling station in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day.

 

Vote Resources

Learning Resources for First Time Voters (Resources for 14-18 year olds | Electoral Commission)