Look out for information coming through your door about registering to vote in Scottish and UK elections.
From 3 August anybody aged 14 or over living in Scotland, with the right to remain in the UK, will be able to register to vote in UK elections.
Voting ages remain the same – 16 for the Scottish Parliament and council elections and 18 for UK Parliament elections.
The local Electoral Registration Office (ERO) is posting registration details and an information leaflet to all households in Argyll and Bute next week, and is asking everyone to check that your details are up-to-date. The leaflet will explain how to register if you are not yet registered.
To be eligible to register to vote you must be:
-
Aged 14 or over (a person may register to vote at 14, but may not vote until they are 16 for Scottish Parliament and council elections and aged 18 for UK Parliament elections)
-
A British, Irish, EU or other foreign citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from the ERO. Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.
Andy O’Neill, Head of Electoral Commission in Scotland, said
“It doesn’t matter where you were born. If you are aged 16 and over you are able to vote in elections in Scotland but only if you register to vote first. Making sure you provide the necessary information to your electoral registration office when it is needed will ensure the process runs smoothly.
You can find more information about voting on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Any Argyll and Bute residents who have questions can contact their local registration team at ERO-ABC@dab-vjb.gov.uk.