Changes to the Scottish sytem of voting

Recent changes to election law in Scotland has increased the franchise regarding who is eligible to vote in all Scottish elections. That is for Holyrood, Council and any referendum.

Ballot Box

Previously you had to:

• be registered to vote;

• be 16 or over on the day of the election;

• be a British, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen;

• be resident at an address in Scotland, and

• not be legally excluded from voting.

The new laws have extended the franchise to include everyone with a legal right to live in Scotland . It creates a new category of voter "qualifying foreign national". Anyone who has been granted refugee status or asylum and is 16 years of age and over can now be added to the electoral register. It is important that we now tell people living in Scotland about these changes and get them to register to vote.

Please register to vote using this link: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote