Scottish Government
 Printable version
|
Improving voter turnout
Scotland’s Electoral Future consultation launched
Maximising voter turnout at Scottish elections is the
focus of a consultation launched today.
The consultation paper “Scotland’s Electoral Future” asks for
views on proposals to increase voter participation in Local Government and
Scottish Parliament elections.
Opinions are being sought on a number of suggestions, including an extension of
the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds in future elections. Those aged 16 and 17 are
already eligible to vote in the independence referendum, as well as elections
to public bodies in Scotland such as Health Boards.
Other measures being explored through the consultation include the introduction
of alternative means of voting, including universal postal voting, and online,
telephone, and electronic machine voting.
Opinions are also being sought on varying the order of candidates’ names
on ballot papers, in light of previous studies showing that candidates may be
discriminated against under the current system of alphabetical
listing.
Welcoming the launch of the consultation, Local Government Minister Derek
Mackay said:
“I want to see how we can strengthen and improve our electoral processes
and encourage wider democratic engagement. This consultation is an opportunity
for people to make their views clear on how we can improve voter turnout in
Scotland.
“Voter turnout for Local Government and Scottish Parliament elections has
been in decline, in common with other developed countries, and we are
determined to challenge that trend.
“Locally and nationally, it is important that every effort is made to
increase voter participation, and this consultation proposes a number of
ambitious measures to help us do that.
“Of course, we can only take forward those measures that the public
support, and that is why it is vital that as many people as possible respond to
our consultation.
“The referendum is Scotland’s chance to create a fairer and more
prosperous nation and has sparked a democratic revival across Scotland, but it
is important that we look beyond the 18th of September in our continuing effort
to make voting more meaningful for our people and communities.
“That is why I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of
our country to take part in this important
consultation.”
Notes To Editors
The
consultation can be viewed online at the consultation web pages of the Scottish
Government website, www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations
An audio recording of Mr Mackay is available here: https://soundcloud.com/scotgov/scotlands-electoral-future
