Voters urged to register to have their say in May
On Thursday 5 May people in the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian will have their say on who represents them on their local council.
In order to vote in May, residents must be on the electoral register. With the deadline to register to vote fast approaching, the Electoral Registration Officer is urging people who are not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.
If you live in Scotland and will be 16 or over on 5 May, you can register to vote in these elections. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 18 April. It takes just five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
This year, residents will be voting to elect councillors, who will represent their local area, and make decisions in areas such as education, social care and housing.
Gary Elliott, Electoral Registration Officer for the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, said:
“Time is running out to make sure you can take part in these elections. They are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in your local authority. If you’re not registered by 18 April, you won’t be able to vote.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:
“You can’t have your say in these elections unless you are registered to vote. Registering is easy and only takes five minutes.
“If you have recently turned 16 or moved home, it is particularly important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote
If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action.” “If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your electoral registration office by calling 0131 344 2500”.
key Dates
Poll Card Issue
- Week commencing Monday 14 March 2022.
Deadline for applications to be included on the Register of Electors for this election – register online here
- Midnight on Monday 18 April 2022.
Deadline for new applications to vote by post and postal proxy applications or to change existing postal or proxy voting arrangements
- 5pm on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
Download postal vote applications here.
Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy
- 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2021.
Download proxy vote application forms here
*Deadline for applications to vote by emergency proxy
- 5pm Thursday 5 May 2022
- Download an application to vote by emergency proxy based on disability here
- Download an application to vote by emergency proxy based on occupation, service or employment here
- Download an application to vote by emergency proxy based on Covid-19 here
If you require any further information about registering to vote or applying for an absent vote (postal or proxy) for this election please contact our office.
