Absent voting at Scottish Parliament and local government elections: equality impact assessment

Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy

Where a voter with a postal or proxy vote’s signature held on record is more than 5 years old, their Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) can request that the signature is updated. Where the voter does not provide a fresh signature sample to their ERO when requested, any proxy or postal voting arrangements they have in place (called 'absent voting') will come to an end.

These two Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs) apply to absent votes granted for an indefinite period or a period in excess of 5 years, where a new signature sample is due to be requested before 7 May 2026. They disapply the requirement on the ERO to request a fresh signature before 7 May 2026. The effect of this is that these absent votes will continue in the absence of a fresh signature in 2026 with the ERO being required to send the next signature refresh request by 31 January 2027.

It is hoped that this will reduce scope for voter confusion between the process for absent votes for Scottish Parliament and local government elections compared to the separate process for UK Parliament elections. It should also avoid the potential for people having to suddenly seek an absent vote in spring 2026. It will also save voters from providing a new signature sample before the 7 May 2026 election.

Directorate: Constitution

Division: Elections and Constitutional Projects

Team: Elections Team