Electoral Registration FAQs

Where can I check if my name is on the Electoral Register? 

The full register for Scottish Borders is available for public inspection at the Electoral Registration Office. Copies of the register, for your own area, are available for inspection at main council contact centres and local libraries. For details of your nearest Council Contact Centre or Library please click the links below.

SBC Contact Centres (Opens in a new window)

Scottish Borders Libraries (Opens in a new window)

The SAA is not responsible for the content of external sites.

How do I register to vote? 

Registration forms are issued to all residential properties in Scottish Borders during the months August to November to identify electors resident in the area at 15th October. The register compiled following this canvass is published on 1st December. Outwith this canvass period there are monthly updates to the register.

To apply to the Electoral Registration Officer to record your change of address or to have your named added to the register click on the link below.

Voter Registration Form GO >> (Opens in a new window)

Who qualifies to be registered? 

British citizens, Commonwealth citizens and citizens of the Republic of Ireland are entitled to register and can vote at all types of elections. Citizens of other Member States of the European Community are entitled to register and can vote at local elections. On completion of an additional form, which will be issued by the Electoral Registration Officer, they can also vote at European Parliamentary Elections. Students studying away from home may register at their term time address as well as their home address but can only vote in respect of one property.

What age must I be to register? 

You must be 18 years of age to vote but if you are 16 or 17 years old you can register now. If you still live at the same address on the date of your 18th birthday you will automatically be eligible to vote.

How do I qualify for an absent vote? 

• POSTAL VOTING New legislation has made postal voting much easier. There is now no need to explain why you want a postal vote. You may vote by post on a permanent basis, or for a particular election, or for a specified period of time. You can register to vote by post at any time (there is no need to wait for an election to be called). To apply for a postal vote click the link below.

Postal Vote Application GO >> (Opens in a new window)

• PROXY VOTING In some circumstances the appointment of a proxy who is entitled to vote on your behalf at a particular election may be appropriate. For example if you are on holiday and will be unable to return a postal ballot paper by the deadline. You can also apply to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf on a permanent basis if you have a physical incapacity or are studying or working away from home. To appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf click the link below.

Proxy Vote Application GO >> (Opens in a new window)

I am a British Citizen but I live abroad. Can I vote? 

If you are a British Citizen living abroad it is possible to register to vote, however, certain conditions apply. You must previously have lived in the UK and your name must have appeared on the Electoral Register within the past 15 years. Your registration will require to be renewed annually and you will only be entitled to vote at UK Parliamentary Elections and European Parliamentary Elections.

Who can I contact for more help and information? 

Contact the Electoral Registration Officer by telephone on 01835 825100 or by email (click the link below)

E-mail: ERO

or

alternatively, information can be found on the Electoral Commission website "About My Vote".

Electoral Commission about my vote (Opens in a new window)

The SAA is not responsible for the content of external sites.

 

The forms available on this website are provided in pdf format. These can be accessed with Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded, if required, by clicking the link below.

Download Adobe Reader (Opens in a new window)