In February 2020, the Scottish Parliament passed a new law which extends the right to vote in Scottish elections to people who are over 16 and live in Scotland. This includes everyone with leave to remain, including people with refugee status.
IMPORTANT: To vote, register now at gov.uk/registertovote. You must register by 11:59pm on 19 April.
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on Thursday 6 May 2021, we have been working with the Electoral Commission to produce resources that will support New Scots to vote for the first time. Resources include a guide created to support people who work with New Scots, as well as information in different languages for individuals.
Welcome to your vote - Facebook and Instagram graphics
Welcome to your vote - Insta Stories
Welcome to your vote - Twitter graphics
Welcome to your vote - Twitter header
Welcome to your vote - A5 posters
Welcome to your vote - A4 posters
Welcome to your vote - A3 posters
Facilitator guide for professionals working with New Scots
Political literacy activities - PowerPoint slides
Video: Registering to vote (English, Arabic subtitles)
Video: Scottish parliament explained (English, Arabic subtitles)
IMPORTANT: To vote, register now at gov.uk/registertovote. You must register by 11:59pm on 19 April.
By granting voting rights to all those who are lawfully resident in Scotland, and extending candidacy rights to those with indefinite leave to remain, the Scottish Parliament has sent a clear message that Scotland is a welcoming, inclusive country, where everyone should be treated equally not matter where they are from.
But the journey to a fully inclusive franchise does not end here.
Scottish Refugee Council firmly believe that everyone who makes Scotland their home should have a say in how the country is run. Therefore, people seeking asylum should have the same voting rights as other residents in Scotland. People seeking asylum come to Scotland for safety, to rebuild their lives and find peace for themselves and their children. They are our neighbours, our friends, activists, fellow campaigners and party members. Their lives are shaped by policies set in Holyrood and local government; they should have a say on how that happens, like everyone else.
We also encourage the Scottish Government to consider proposals to allow people with limited leave to remain the right to stand in Scottish Elections. By only granting candidacy rights to those with indefinite leave to remain, the Bill creates an uneven pattern of candidacy rights that is not based on an individual’s relationship to a community, but rather subject to somewhat arbitrary structures imposed by an immigration system.
To discuss our work on voting rights, please contact our Policy Officer Hannah Pearson.