With just 100 days to go until the Scottish Parliamentary Election, Edinburgh’s citizens are being urged to think about their vote.
People living in the capital will join voters across the country to elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood on Thursday, 5 May.
More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September 2014, which also saw a record-breaking turnout across the country. At the UK Parliamentary Election in May 2015 turnout stayed high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.
On 5 May it will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in a Parliamentary election after the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill was passed last year.
While most people who registered to vote in time for the UK Parliamentary Election will still be eligible to take part in the Scottish Parliament Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved house will need to register again.
Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said:
We have experienced a real enthusiasm for taking part in the democratic process in this city over recent years and we want this to continue for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election.
This is also the first time since the Scottish Independence Referendum that our 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to have their say in an election, and I would particularly urge them to use their vote. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.
Find out more about voter registration and elections on the Council website.
