Elections 2011
A Scottish Parliamentary election and a Referendum on the UK Parliamentary Voting System will take place on 5 May 2011.
The following pages will provide you with more information about these elections.
You can find out more about postal and proxy voting, how to make sure you are registered to vote and which polling station you should go to.
We will also bring you news of the candidates who are standing for election.
Scottish Parliamentary election
There are 129 elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). 73 are constituency members who each represent one Scottish Parliament constituency. The other 56 are regional members who represent one of the eight electoral regions in Scotland. Each electoral region includes a number of constituencies.
Constituency MSPs are elected using the traditional first past the post system whereas regional MSPs are elected using the Additional Member System. However you only need to mark each of the ballot papers with one cross (X) indicating your choice. The constituency ballot paper will be lilac and the regional ballot paper will be peach in colour this year.
The Scottish Parliament boundaries have recently changed and there are 2 new constituencies which will be administered by the Angus Council Election Team; Angus North & Mearns and Angus South. Each constituency will return one MSP.
As part of the North East Scotland Region, electors in both constituencies will contribute to the election of seven regional MSPs.
To find out more about the new Scottish Parliament constituencies visit the Boundary Commission for Scotland website.
If you are unsure which constituency you live in please contact Accessline on 08452 777 778 for more information.
Referendum on UK Parliamentary Voting System
There will be a referendum on the UK Parliamentary Voting system on 5 May 2011.
The referendum ballot paper will be grey and if you are entitled to vote at the Referendum will be issued at the same time as your Scottish Parliament ballot papers.
Information for Campaigners
If you wish to register as a campaigner at the Referendum information can be obtained from the Electoral Commission website.
Briefing sessions for campaigners and their representatives will take place in due course. However any campaigners wishing further information in the interim should contact the Election Team on 01307 476060 or alternatively email cameronsd@angus.gov.uk.
General Information
An information booklet which has more information on both elections has been produced by the Electoral Commission and will be issued to every household in Scotland over the coming weeks
For more information on the different types of voting systems in the UK visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or call the helpline on (from 1 April onwards) on 0800 3 280 280.
More information about the Scottish Government and the work of MSPs can be found on www.scotland.gov.uk.
If you are unsure of which constituency you will vote in at this election contact Accessline on 08452 777 778 for further information.