There’s just a few hours left for South Ayrshire voters to register to vote in the Scottish Council elections, which take place on Thursday 4 May 2017.

The elections give you the chance to have your say on the Councillors you want to represent you and your community on South Ayrshire Council.

The Council is responsible for a wide variety of local services that impact on the everyday lives of people across South Ayrshire including education, social care, roads, environment, economic development, housing, leisure and library services and waste management.

Before you can vote in this – or any election – you need to be registered to vote, and your name and address must be included in the electoral register.

If you have received a poll card, you are already registered to vote. If not, and you haven’t registered to vote since 28 March 2017, you will need to register to vote.

To vote in the Council election on 4 May, a person must be registered to vote in Scotland;  16 years of age or over on Thursday 4 May 2017 (the first time 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in a Council election); a British or Irish citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of another European Union country. 

If you’re not already registered to vote, you need to register to vote by midnight on Monday (tonight) 17 April 2017. It’s better to register as early as possible in case the electoral registration office needs to check any details with you.

You can register online now at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Please have a note of your National Insurance number available so you can complete the process quickly.

Alternatively, you can download the Ayrshire voter registration app from the App Store or the Play Store.

If you will be unable to vote at your polling station on 4 May – due to the likes of work or holidays – you can apply for a postal vote for the Council election once you are registered to vote.

The deadline for new applications to vote by post is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2017.

When applying for a postal vote, it is your responsibility to ensure you will be available to receive your postal vote, and return it on time.

Any registered elector who currently holds a postal vote – or any registered elector who submitted a postal vote application by Friday 7 April – should receive their postal ballot pack between Friday 14 and Tuesday 18 April 2017.

Any registered elector who applies for a postal vote between Friday 7 April and the deadline for postal vote applications on Tuesday 18 April 2017 should receive their postal ballot pack between Wednesday 26 and Friday 28 April 2017.

Voters who don’t think they will be at home when the postal votes are being issued or may not be able to return it in time, can apply for a proxy vote, where someone will cast a vote on their behalf. The last day for new proxy applications is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2017.

Further information on registering to vote is available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, www.ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk, or by calling 01292 612221.
Information on taking part in the Council election is also available at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council-election.