One week left to register to vote ahead of Scottish Parliament election

Published: 12th April 2021

Person posting ballot into box

There is just one week left to register to vote so you can have your say in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 6 May.

This applies to those who are not already on the electoral register, or who have moved house and need to re-register. The deadline is midnight on Monday 19 April.

You can register to vote by completing online registration or by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer on 01835 825100.

Polling stations will be open as normal on Thursday 6 May, with a range of measures in place to ensure that those who wish to vote in person can do so safely, including adherence to social-distancing guidelines and the wearing of face coverings.

The postal vote application deadline has now passed, but an application form for a proxy vote - to allow someone to vote on your behalf - is available online or by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer.

To vote in a Scottish Parliament election, you must be:

  • aged 16 or over on the day of the election
  • a UK, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen, or a qualifying foreign citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission
  • resident at an address in Scotland and
  • on the electoral register