It’s Welcome to Your Vote Week and we’re reminding our young people to remember that 16 and 17 year olds can vote in the Scottish Parliament election on the 7th of May.
Across North Ayrshire, youth workers and schools will be raising awareness and running sessions on ‘why voting matters’.
With only a few weeks to go until the Scottish Parliamentary Elections on the 7th of May, it is important to check if you are registered to vote! So please do make an effort to make sure!
- Go to the website to check your eligibility and register to vote: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
- If you’re busy with exams in May, you can also apply for a postal vote: https://www.gov.uk/…/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote
- It is also possible to apply to get someone to cast your vote on your behalf at a polling station, this is known as a proxy vote: https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
- Voters who are already registered will start to receive their polling cards from Friday 20 March 2026.
- Voters are reminded to check their polling card carefully as this provides details of their Polling Place location and this may have changed since the last electionPolling Places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May, with the count scheduled to get under way the following day.
North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People shares:
“Voters will go to the polls on 7 May to elect 129 members to the Scottish Parliament – but only those who are on the Electoral Register will be able to cast their vote. So, if you are eligible, get ready to have your say! Anyone age 16 or over can vote – you have until midnight on Monday 20 April 2026 to register! Do it now to be part of the important democratic process.”
#WelcomeToYourVoteWeek #UseYourVoice#YourVoteMatters
By Karis Harwood