How to register to vote

Can anyone register to vote?

You must be aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland and Wales).

You must also be one of the following:

• a British citizen
• an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK
• a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
• a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission

You will need your National Insurance Number (if you have one) to register.

Voting age in Scotland lowered to 16

The voting age for Scottish elections has been permanently lowered to 16

The Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act enables 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland to vote at Scottish elections.

You won’t be able to vote at UK or European Parliament elections until you are 18.

In terms of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020, people can now register to vote if they aged 14 years and over,  have no legal incapacity to vote and are a citizen who has the right to remain resident in Scotland irrespective of nationality.

Register to vote at GOV.UK

If you would prefer to register by post please call 0141 562 1200 to request an application form. 

Postal voting

Anyone can request to vote by post, instead of going to a polling station, providing you appear on the electoral register.  

You can apply for a postal vote online at Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you do wish to submit a paper application to vote by post, you can download the application form using the link below and post to The Electoral Registration Office, 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 4XJ. 

Application to vote by post in Scotland (paper application)

Proxy voting

A proxy vote means that you appoint someone to vote on your behalf if you are unable to get to the polling station on Election Day, providing you appear on the electoral register. There are several types of proxy vote applications which can be accessed on the Scottish Assessors Association website.

Information on how to apply for a Proxy vote

The electoral register

What are the full and Open (formerly edited) registers?

The full register lists the name and address of everyone who is registered to vote. It is used for law enforcement and by credit reference agencies, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and other purposes specified in the law.

The Open (formerly edited) register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose and be bought by anyone - including for marketing purposes. You can opt out of appearing on the Open register when completing your registration form.

Viewing the register

To inspect the full electoral register, contact The Electoral Registration Office for information on 0141 562 1200 or by email at ero-wdc@dab-vjb.gov.uk

• Inspection of the register will be under supervision
• You can take extracts from the register, but only by hand written notes
• Information taken must not be used for direct marketing purposes, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, unless it has been published in the edited version
• The Open register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose, e.g. commercial activities such as marketing.  Electors can choose not to appear on the edited version of the register.
• If you wish to be removed from the Open register you can complete the online form on the Scottish Assessors Association website.

Anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence and will be charged a penalty of up to £5,000.