Scottish Parliamentary Elections - 6th May 2021

If you are already registered to vote you do not need to do anything.

If you are not registered to vote you must register by no later than Monday 19 April 2021.

The way you register to vote has changed. The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration.

You can now register to vote online.

You will need to provide more details to register, which will make the electoral register more secure. You will need your date of birth and your national insurance number to hand.

Previously, the head of the household was responsible for registering anyone who lived at the address. Now every individual is responsible for their own voter registration. The new system is also more secure because it asks for more details. This will make it more resistant to electoral fraud.

The Electoral Register is updated and re-published following the canvass each year, normally at 1 December. It is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament, UK Parliament (Westminster), the European Parliament, local elections to appoint Councillors, at national referendums and in the election of Community Councils.

Not everyone who name appears in the Register has the right to vote at all elections or referenda.

If you are in the British Forces, living overseas, a student, have no fixed home or are unsure of your eligibility visit the About My Vote website for more information on registering.

Postal or Proxy Voting

If you are on the register and would prefer to vote by post or appoint a proxy, simple complete a form and post it to the Electoral Registration Office at 20 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY

Regulations require us to collect personal identifier information - your signature and date of birth. This is held securely and will be used at election times to compare against the signature and date of birth which has to be provided on a security statement returned with postal votes.

Forms must be signed and can be scanned and emailed to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk or posted back to Electoral Registration Office, 21 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.

• Download Postal Vote Form
• Download Proxy Application Form - Due to Working Away
• Download Proxy Application Form - Disability

On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in Dundee will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them in the Scottish Parliament.

While the election is not until May, planning is already underway to help you stay safe while casting your vote.

There are a number of ways to have your say in the election in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.

Andy O’Neill, Head of Electoral Commission, Scotland said: "The choice on how to vote at next May’s elections is yours – you can have your say in person, by post or by proxy."

"If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly."

"It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website."

"You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the election – the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. And remember, it doesn’t matter where you were born, if you are aged 16 and over and are resident in Scotland you are now eligible to register and vote in Scottish Parliament elections."

You can only vote at the polling station which has your name on their register. Details of which polling station you should use will be displayed on your poll card.

Poll cards are likely to be issued mid March 2021.

If you aren't sure exactly which polling station you should use, or where it is located, find out by using the Find Your Polling Station tool 

General enquiries should be directed to:

Electoral Registration and Elections Office
Email:  ero@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No:  01382 434444

Returning Officer:

Gregory Colgan, Chief Executive
Email:  chief.exec@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No:  01382 434431

Media Contact:

Katie Alexander
Email:  katie.alexander@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No:  01382 433620

You can find more information on elections and voting on the following website. Dundee City Council has no responsibility for the content of external sites.

• www.electoralcommission.org.uk
• Your Vote Matters

Can you vote? ... not everyone can ...

You have to be 16 or over and

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

Polling Cards

If your name is on the register of electors and you are aged 16 or over, you will, unless you are further included in the absent voters list, get a polling card around mid March. This will tell you where your Polling Station is and when it is open. The card is for information only. Don't worry if you lose it or forget it - you can still vote without it. It just makes it easier if you take it to the Polling Station and show it to the clerk.

If you don't receive a polling card, this could mean that you are registered at an old address or are not included on the register. You should call the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) on 01382 434444.

Voting in Person

To vote in person you should go to the Polling Station listed on your Polling Card. The clerk will give you two ballot papers - one for the constituency MSP (lilac) and one for the regional list (peach). You vote by putting a cross on each paper next to the candidate or party of your choice.

Voting by Post

Anyone can apply - go to the 'How to Register' section for information. When you have been granted a postal vote your Ballot Papers will then be sent to you by post, prior to the election. Complete the papers and return them as directed. You will also be sent a postal vote poll card confirming that you have a postal vote nearer this time.

Please apply for a postal vote as soon as possible. The last day for receipt of applications by the ERO for electon is Tuesday 6th April, 2021.

Download a form or call 01382 434444 to arrange for a form to be sent out.

Voting by Proxy

Go to the 'How to Register' section for information. If granted this means that you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you either in person at the polling station, or if they have applied to be your Postal proxy, by post.

The last day to appoint a proxy in time for the election on 6th May is Tuesday 27th April, 2021. Forms need to be with the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm. Download a form.

You can either scan and email the completed form to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk or you can post it back to ERO, 8 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.

Contact Details

If you have any questions on whether you are registered to vote, postal votes or proxy votes please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01382 434444.

The electoral register is the list of everyone who is registered to vote. You must be on the register to vote at elections. You are not automatically registered, even if you pay Council Tax. You can register to vote at any time, but if you are not already registered you must register to vote by 19th April for the elections on 6th May, 2021.

Who can register to vote?

• Anyone 16 or over
• British, Irish, or a citizen of another country living in Scotland who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or does not need permission.

Am I registered to vote? Can I check online?

There is no online facility. To find out if you are registered to vote in Dundee call the Elections Hotline, Tel 01382 434444 or send an email to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk

How do I register to vote?

If you are not registered or if you have recently moved house you can make an application to register.

The 'How to Register' section has full details on how to register.

I know I am registered but will not be here on polling day. What can I do?

You may be eligible to apply for a proxy vote or appoint a proxy. For details visit the 'How to Register' section.

I have recently changed my name. What do I do?

You need to go online to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to change it.

When are the postal votes being issues?

Details still to be confirmed.