The Scottish Local Government Elections Order 2011

SCHEDULE 1SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS RULES

PART VIIFORMS FOR USE AT SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

The forms contained in this Part may be adapted so far as circumstances require and, in particular, may relate to one or more electoral wards.

Rule 14(2)

FORM 4

(back of form)

1.  On the ballot paper, number the candidates in order of your choice. You can make as many choices as you wish. Put the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is your first choice, then put 2 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is your second choice, 3 in the box next to your third choice, and so on. If you need help from someone to complete the ballot paper, they must not tell anyone who you have voted for.

2.  Do not put any other marks on the ballot paper. If you do, your vote might not be counted.

3.  You must provide [**your signature and] date of birth on the postal voting statement. If you do not, it will be invalid and your vote will not be counted.

4.  Put the ballot paper in the envelope marked A and seal it. Then put this envelope together with the postal voting statement in the larger envelope marked B and seal it. Post the envelope back quickly. The ballot paper must be received by the returning officer not later than the close of poll. It may be posted to the returning officer before polling day or delivered by hand to any polling station in the local authority area on polling day before the poll closes.

5.  If you get more than one ballot paper, by accident, then just use one. Remember that it is an offence to vote more than once in the same election (unless you are voting for someone else - by proxy).

6.  Remember, if you have received a postal vote you cannot vote in person at the polling station even if you have a poll card. If you are voting, you must use the ballot paper sent to you. Your postal vote can be handed into any polling station in the local authority area on polling day before the poll closes.

7.  If you make a mistake on the ballot paper you can ask the returning officer for another one up until 5 p.m. on the day before polling day. You will need to return everything you have received (ballot paper, postal voting statement and the envelopes). You should do this straightaway as there is not much time for a new ballot paper to be sent to you, returned and counted.

8.  If you lose the ballot paper, postal voting statement or accompanying envelopes you may apply to the returning officer for a replacement ballot paper. The application may be made from the fourth day before the poll up until 5 p.m. on the day before polling day. You will be required to provide evidence of your identity.

9.  If you want to apply for a replacement ballot paper after 5 p.m. on the day before polling day and up to 5 pm on polling day, you must do so in person at the address shown below. You will be required to provide evidence of identity.

REMINDER

1.  Have you remembered to [**sign your name and] provide your date of birth on the postal voting statement?

2.  Have you put your ballot paper in the envelope A and sealed it?

3.  Have you put envelope A together with the postal voting statement into envelope B and sealed it?

4.  You must make sure that you send your postal vote to the returning officer or deliver it to the polling station before the close of poll at 10 p.m. on (insert date).

If two or more postal vote envelopes have been delivered to your address – please make sure that the correct documents are in the correct return envelope.

**Returning officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver

Back of card

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION

*This card is for information only. You can vote without it, but it will save time if you take it to the polling station and show it to the clerk there.

* When you go to the polling station, tell the clerk your name and address, as shown on the front of the card. The clerk will give you a ballot paper.

Go to one of the compartments. Number the candidates in the order of your choice. You can make as many choices as you wish. Put the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is your first choice, 2 in the box next to your second choice, 3 in the box next to your third choice, and so on.

Put no other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.

Do not let anyone see your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.

If you have appointed a proxy to vote in person for you, you may nevertheless vote at this election if you do so before your proxy has voted on your behalf.

If you have been given a postal vote, you will not be entitled to vote in person at this election, so please ignore this poll card.

If you need further help, please ring (insert telephone number).

ISSUED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER

Where a poll card is sent to an anonymous elector, substitute the following for the paragraphs marked with * above

You must have this card with you when you vote. You cannot vote without it.

When you go to the polling station, ask to speak to the presiding officer and show this card to the officer.

The presiding officer will confirm your entry on the register.

Back of card

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION

This card is to give you information about voting by post. If you have appointed a proxy to vote by post for you, you will not receive postal voting papers.

When you receive your postal voting pack, please read the “Instructions to the Voter” before completing your postal ballot paper.

Mark your vote secretly. If you cannot vote without help, the person assisting you must not disclose how you have voted.

You must sign the postal voting statement (unless you have been granted a waiver by the returning officer) and provide your date of birth. This is a security measure, it will not affect your vote or mean that it can be identified. Without this, the statement will not be valid and your vote will not be counted.

If you lose or accidentally spoil your postal ballot papers, please call (helpline number) as soon as possible. Replacement ballot papers cannot be issued after 5 p.m. on (insert day and date of poll).

Complete and return your postal vote as soon as possible. If you have not posted your vote before (insert day and date of poll), you can deliver your vote to any polling station in your local authority area.

It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.

You cannot vote in person at a polling station at these elections unless you cancel your postal vote before 5 p.m. on (insert date eleven working days before the date of poll).

If you need further help, please call [helpline number].

It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that was not addressed to you

ISSUED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER