With the postal vote application deadline now passed in Scotland, provisional figures from Scotland’s Electoral Registration Officers show that 1,010,638 voters are now registered to vote by post at the Scottish Parliament election on 6 May. This accounts for nearly one quarter of the electorate (23.8%) and is the highest number ever registered for a postal vote in Scotland.
Postal voting packs will begin to be issued to registered postal voters across Scotland today and must be returned by 10pm on Thursday 6 May for the votes to count.
Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said:
“We can’t count any votes that come back to us after 10pm on 6 May so if you have a postal vote make sure you send it back in plenty of time. If you do leave it late then you can drop your completed pack at your local polling place on election day.”
As well as marking their ballot papers, postal voters must also complete and return a statement with their date of birth and signature. These are checked against the ones they provided when they first applied for the postal vote and is an important measure to keep their vote safe.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland said:
“With many people voting by post for the first time this May, it’s really important that they follow the instructions in their postal ballot pack to make sure their vote can count. Half of all postal votes rejected at the last UK general election were because the signature or date of birth did not match their application, so extra care needs to be taken when filling in these parts of the postal voting statement.”
While the postal vote deadline has now passed, it is still possible to apply for a proxy vote where a voter can appoint someone they trust to cast their vote. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April. More information is available at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter
How does postal voting work?
- After the deadline for nominations has passed, ballot papers are produced and printed. Those who have applied will then be sent a postal voting pack.
- When applying for a postal vote, voters must provide their signature and date of birth. Postal ballot packs will contain a postal voting statement, which require voters to again provide their signature and date of birth. These will be checked against each other to ensure that the postal vote has been returned by the elector it was issued to.
- Once completed, voters should return their postal vote to their local council. To be counted it must be with them by 10pm on polling day.
- Completed postal votes should be returned by the voter only, or someone they trust. Candidates, party workers or campaigners should not handle postal votes.
- Returned postal vote packs will be opened and the signatures and dates of birth on the postal voting statement checked by Returning Officers and their teams before polling day. Postal vote ballots are kept safe and are never counted before the close of polls on election day.
For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 0131 225 0211, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk
The Electoral Commission has produced two animations to explain the postal vote process which can be used by the media:
Notes to editors