HUNDREDS of thousands of Scots could miss out in a vote in the coming general election, according to an official report on gaps in the polling register.
The Electoral Commission’s annual analysis of registration data found parliamentary registers in Scotland were only 84 per cent complete and council ones 83% complete.
It estimated 640,000 to 890,000 people in Scotland who were eligible for a place on the local government voter rolls were not correctly registered at the end of 2018.
Registers were more complete in rural (89%) than urban (82%) areas, with huge variations based on residency lengths and house tenure.
Only a third of people who had lived at their address for less than a year were registered, compared to 84% for two to five years, and 95% for more than 10 years.
Less than half of private renters (49%) were registered, but 95% of those who owned their home outright, 87% for mortgage owners, and 81% for social renters.
Age was also a factor, with the registers only 68% complete for those aged 18-34, but 92% complete for those aged over 55.
The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) said the data showed the case for automatic voter registration in line with Canada, Finland and Belgium.
Dr Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research for the ERS, said: “These figures should sound the alarm for anyone who cares about democracy.
“Hundreds of thousands of potential voters in Scotland are effectively missing from the electoral roll, representing a major barrier to political equality and democratic engagement. That means any snap election will be on the basis of an flawed franchise.
Alice Kinghorn-Gray, Campaigns Officer for Electoral Reform Society Scotland, said: “That voter registration numbers are actually going down is deeply concerning.
“We urge the Scottish government to explore how it can use its powers to ensure everyone has a stake in our democracy.
“The gaps in registration are creating major inequalities in our elections, with young people and renters particularly affected. Parties must respond with action, and start to bring in the ‘missing millions’. Let’s ensure the next election does not exclude huge swathes of our country and instead represents the gold standard for participation.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "It is important that everyone who is entitled to vote ensures they are registered to do so in time for any forthcoming election.
"The annual canvass of voters is currently under way - and every residential property in Scotland is being sent a letter requesting details of any resident who may be entitled to register.
"Anyone identified as not being on the electoral register will then be sent an invitation to register.
"Electoral registration officers produce interim registers in the run-up to any poll, but voters can register up to 12 working days before the day of any election."
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: "The UK Government has no plans to introduce automatic voter registration. Understanding the importance of voting and therefore the personal responsibility to register is a key part of engaging in democracy.
"The UK Government is however working with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to significantly reform the annual property canvass, which will enable electoral registration teams to focus their efforts on reaching under registered groups."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel