Frequently Asked Questions –
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY-ELECTION AND
REFERENDUM ON UK PARLIAMENTARY VOTING SYSTEMS
Election Details
When will the Election/Referendum be held?
Thursday, 5 May 2011.
What is the purpose of the election?
To elect Members to serve on the Scottish Parliament. There are two types of candidate: Constituency Candidates and Regional Candidates (derived from a Party List). The constituency candidates are elected using the ‘first past the post’ method and the Regional Candidates are elected using the party list system. Collectively this is known as the Additional Member System i.e. additional members are voted onto the Scottish Parliament who will represent a Region of Scotland.
West Dunbartonshire Council will administer elections for the Dumbarton Constituency and the Clydebank and Milngavie Constituency. The Dumbarton constituency stretches from Bowling to Cove (Argyll and Bute). The Clydebank and Milngavie Constituency stretches from parts of Bearsden (East Dunbartonshire) to Old Kilpatrick.
Which Region do I vote in?
West of Scotland Region.
What is the purpose of the Referendum?
To determine if the membership of the UK Parliament should continue to be determined by the existing voting system i.e. “First Past the Post” or by the “Alternative Vote” system. The ‘alternative vote’ system is a form of proportional representation.
The ballot paper will ask the voter to reply yes or no to the undernoted question:-
At present the UK uses the “first past the post” system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the “alternative vote” system be used instead?
Between 4 and 16 April a booklet will be delivered by the Electoral Commission explaining about the referendum. The Electoral Commission
Is an independent body which oversees the election process.
Who will the candidates be for the Scottish Parliament?
As stated above there will be two types of candidate for the Scottish Parliamentary election: Constituency and Regional. The candidates are as follows: -
Clydebank and Milngavie Constituency Candidates
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John Duncan
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Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Des McNulty
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Scottish Labour Party
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Gil Paterson
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Scottish National Party (SNP)
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Alice Struthers
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Scottish Conservative and Unionist
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Dumbarton Constituency Candidates
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Jackie Baillie
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Scottish Labour Party
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George Rice
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Independent
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Iain Robertson
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Scottish National Party (SNP)
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Graham Steven Smith
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Scottish Conservative and Unionist
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Helen Watt
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Scottish Liberal Democrats
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West of Scotland Region- Party Names and Party List Candidates
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PARTY NAME/ DESCRIPTION
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PARTY LIST CANDIDATES
NAMES
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All Scotland Pensioners Party – Scottish Senior Citizens Party
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James Miller
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Larraine Anne Miller
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James Leonard Miller
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James Mair
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Ban Bankers Bonuses
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William McLaughlin
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British National Party
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William Phillips
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Christopher David Barnett
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Clive Jefferson
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David Wilson
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Christian Party “Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship” – Scottish Christian Party
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Brian Michael Lally
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George McMillan
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Marion McMillan
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Alex Lennox
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Pirate Party UK – The Scottish Pirate Party
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Rob Harris
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Laura Riach
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Andrew Paliwoda
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Miah Gregory
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Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Annabel Goldie
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Jackson Carlaw
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Maurice Charles Golden
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Stephanie Mary Fraser
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Alistair MacDonald Haw
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Graham Steven Smith
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Alistair Ramsay Campbell
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Gordon Alexander McAskill
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Scottish Green Party – Steen Parish for MSP
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Steen Parish
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Nina Crampton Baker
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Hasan Nowarah
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Grace McCarthy
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Benjamin Thomson
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Duncan Toms
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Scottish Labour Party
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Mary Fee
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Neil Bibby
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Margaret McDougall
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Gordon McKay
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Linda Millar
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Manjinder Shergill
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Sam Mullin
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Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Ross Finnie
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Gordon MacDonald
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Eileen McCartin
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Ashay Ghai
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Simon Hutton
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Ruby Kirkwood
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John Duncan
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Scottish National Party (SNP) - Alex Salmond for First Minister
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Stewart Maxwell
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Kenneth Gibson
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Derek Mackay
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Gil Paterson
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Fiona McLeod
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Stuart McMillan
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Andrew Doig
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Iain Robertson
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Iain White
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Scottish Socialist Party – Fight The Cuts
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Jim Bollan
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Ann Lynch
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Pauline Bradley
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Neil Scott
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Davy Landels
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Mary Rocks
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Roisin Kelly
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Gerry McCartney
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Socialist Labour Party
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Louise McDaid
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Debbie Anderson
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Craig Byrne
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John Tyrrell
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Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
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Jim Halfpenny
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Daniel Williamson
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Harry Pfaff
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Sean Hurl
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UK Independence Party - UKIP
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Mitch Sorbie
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Sarah Hemy
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James Beeley
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Peter Campbell
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Richard Vassie
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Independent
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How do I vote?
Scottish Parliament:
There will be two ballot papers: one for the constituency and one for the regional election. You will be asked to mark an X against the candidate or party of your choice on each of the ballot papers.
Referendum:
The ballot paper will ask the voter to mark an X against ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ in response to the undernoted question:
At present the UK uses the “first past the post” system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the “alternative vote” system be used instead?
What are the hours of poll?
7a.m. until 10 p.m.
Info for would-be candidates
How can I stand as a candidate?
“Candidates are nominated by their parties. Independent Candidates can also stand for election. If you want to stand, you have to complete a nomination form which is available from the election office and return it there by the deadline for the receipt of nominations which was 4pm on Wednesday, 29 March. ”
How do I become a ‘campaigner’ or ‘permitted participant’ in the Referendum?
In certain circumstances campaigners must register with the Electoral Commission and then comply with controls on their election spending. For more information refer to the Electoral Commission website at (as above).
Register Details
How do I get on the register?
Refer to website www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or to Electoral Registration Office freephone number 0800 980 0471. The deadline to enable you to vote on 5 May 2011 is Friday 15 April 2011.
I have moved house. How do I change my details?
Refer to website www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or to Electoral Registration Office freephone number 0800 980 0471. The deadline to enable you to vote on 5 May 2011 is Friday 15 April 2011.
How do I know whether I am registered to vote?
“You can check the electoral register in person at the Council Offices in Garshake Road, Dumbarton, Rosebery Place Clydebank, main libraries or at the Electoral Registration Office at 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank. You can contact the ERO by telephone on freephone 0800 980 0471. They will call back to check your details before they confirm. The last date that you can register as a voter for the Scottish Parliamentary Election is Friday 15 April 2011.”
If I pay Council tax or have returned my census for am I automatically entitled to vote?
“No, registration is a separate process.”
I am Student and am not sure where to register to vote?
Students can register at either or both their home address and their university (term time) address. However, they must only vote once. The deadline for registering to vote is 15 April.
Voting
Can I vote at this Election/Referendum?
As there are different franchises for the SP Election and Referendum suggest that any individual should contact the Electoral Registration Office on freephone number 0800 980 0471.
I think I may be away when the election takes place. How can I vote?
“You can apply for a postal vote. The deadline for applications for postal votes is Thursday, 14 April at 5pm. You can download an application form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or obtain one from the Electoral Registration Office – call freephone 0800 980 0471. The completed form must be returned to the ERO at 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a proxy vote. Contact the ERO on freephone number 0800 980 0471 for full information.”
What is a proxy vote?
“A proxy vote is when you choose a friend or family member to cast your vote for you. The proxy can vote in person or by post. If you are amending an existing proxy vote, you must return your application by 5 pm on 14 April. To have a proxy vote at this election, you must submit your application by 5pm on Thursday 21 April 2011. Contact the ERO on freephone number 0800 980 0471 to find out if you are eligible”.
I/A member of my family has taken ill and won’t be able to go the polling place to vote
“You may qualify for an emergency proxy vote - Contact the ERO on freephone number 0800 980 0471 to find out if you are eligible”
Emergency proxy votes can be applied for up until 5pm on polling day itself. The ERO office will decide whether the proxy can be granted.
How do I know where I go to vote?
You should by now have received a poll card before the election. That card will tell you where you are registered to vote. It will also tell you if you have registered for a postal vote.
I’ve lost my poll card – can I still vote?
You don’t need your poll card to vote. Just go to your polling place and tell the clerk your name and address. If you cannot remember your polling place phone the election office on 01389 737186
.
Can you tell me where my polling place is?
Instruction for Contact Centre - Refer to Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Places published on this website
Access
What provision is made for people with disabilities?
· Access issues are taken into consideration for all electoral procedures, when planning for an election or referendum, on polling day itself and during the electoral registration process. See further details below.
What provision is made for blind and visually impaired voters?
· Tactile voting templates and large print versions of ballot papers are available at all polling stations.
· You can also take a companion with you to assist you or ask the presiding officer at the polling station for help.
· You could apply for a postal vote or to vote by proxy (see below).
What provision is there for people for whom English is not their first language?
· All ballot papers are in English– this is the law.
· Read our ‘Easy-read guide to voting’ leaflet for more information: /www.dopolitics.org.uk/toolbox-index/toolbox2/d-f/easy-read-guide-to-voting
· Registration and postal voting forms are available in a number of different languages – you can find them here: http://www.dopolitics.org.uk/toolbox-index/toolbox2/p-r
What provision is there for wheelchair users?
· Each polling station is different. However, in choosing venues for polling places, the Council ensures that at the very least these are all wheelchair accessible.
· Alternatively, you could apply for a postal vote, to allow you to vote from home; or nominate a proxy to vote on your behalf.
Information about Postal Voting in general
Who is entitled to apply for a postal vote?
“Any person who is on the Register of Electors and eligible to vote at the election is entitled to a postal vote, but they have to apply to the Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on 14 April for this election. Download details from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or ask for a form from the Electoral Registration Office – call 0800 980 0471. Forms must be returned to the Electoral Registration Office at 235 Dumbarton Road Clydebank by the closing time and date.”
How do I apply for a postal vote?
“Download details from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or ask for a form from the Electoral Registration Office 0800 980 0471. Forms must be returned to the Electoral Registration Office at 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank by the closing time and date.”
I want to change my postal vote details/I don’t want a postal vote any more.
“To change, you need to contact the ERO. You have to advise the ERO in writing before the cut off date, which is Wednesday, 14 April by 5pm.”
Instruction for Contact Centre – refer to ERO – freephone 0800 980 0471 - for further information.
Information about postal votes themselves
I haven’t received my postal vote.
Instruction for Contact Centre - Postal votes should arrive about one week before the election. Most of the postal votes will be sent out by 26 April. Before that date, the enquirers should be advised to wait and phone back if it hasn’t been received by 28 April.
If the enquiry is made after the given date, refer immediately to Election Office 01389 737204
I have received a postal vote, but I don’t understand what I have to do.
Speak to the Election Office on 01389 737294 or 01389 737204.
I have lost my postal vote.
Speak to the Election Office on 01389 737294 or 01389 737204.
I have made a mess of my postal vote, can I get a new one?
Speak to the Election Office on 01389 737294 or 01389 737204.
Why do I have to sign my postal vote application and put on my date of birth?
“This is a security measure. The signature and date of birth on the statement are compared electronically to the ones you supplied on your application for a postal vote. If you don’t fill them in or if they don’t match the originals, your vote will not count.”
If I sign and give my date of birth, can anyone know how I have voted?
“No. The statement will be detached from the envelope containing your vote, so no-one will see both of them together.”
When does the postal vote have to be returned?
“Postal votes have to be returned to the Returning Officer at Garshake Road, Dumbarton by 10pm on polling day – Thursday 5 May or you can hand it in to any polling place in the Constituency in which you are entitled to vote “
How do I know you have received my postal vote?
“You can ask us. Leave a couple of days after you put your vote in the post. We will be able to tell you if we received it.”
Speak to the Election Office on 01389 737294 or 01389 737204.
I have received a postal vote but I would prefer to vote in person.
“Once you receive a postal vote, you are unable to vote in person at a polling station, but, if you want, you can complete your postal vote, seal it in the envelope provided and hand it in to any polling place in the Constituency in which you are entitled to vote. You can’t put it in the ballot box.”
Speak to the Election Office on 01389 737294 or 01389 737204.
Poll Cards
I’ve lost my poll card – can I still vote?
“You don’t need a poll card to be able to vote (unless you are an anonymous voter). You just have to give the clerk your name and address (unless you are an anonymous voter). However, to be on the safe side, it is best to check that your name is on the register.”
I haven’t received a poll card. How can I vote?
“You don’t need a poll card to be able to vote. You just have to give the clerk your name and address. However, to be on the safe side, it is best to check that your name is on the register.”
I have received a poll card for a member of my family who no longer lives here.
“This means that your relative is still registered at your address on the electoral register.”
Refer to ERO freephone 0800 980 0471
I have received a poll card for my son/daughter who is too young to vote.
Refer to ERO freephone 0800 980 0471
I have received a poll card for someone who doesn’t live at my address
“This means that the person is on the register at your address. It may be that they lived there before you and the ERO hasn’t been advised of the change, or it may simply be a clerical error. The ERO’s office will help you deal with this”
Refer to ERO freephone 0800 980 0471
The Count/Results
When will the votes be counted?
“The votes will be counted after the close of poll on 5 May 2011.”
Where is the Count held?
“The Count will be held in the Play Drome Leisure Centre, Abbotsford Road, Clydebank.”
Is it open to the public?
“No, you have to be a counting agent for one of the candidates or an official observer authorised by the Electoral Commission.”
When will the results be announced?
“The results will be announced as follows:-
The Scottish Parliament Constituency result will be announced at the end of the count, which will probably be about breakfast time on 6 May.
The Scottish Parliament Regional result will be announced by the Regional Returning Officer in Paisley after all the counts in the West of Scotland Region have finished, probably about midday on 6 May.
Details of both will appear on the Council’s website.
The local Referendum count starts at 4pm on 6 May 2011. Only once all results across the UK are known can the Referendum result be declared. It is difficult to state when this will be declared, but a best guess would be sometime on Saturday 7 May.
