Registering to vote

The Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire) is an official appointed by the North, East and South Ayrshire Councils. They are responsible for maintaining the Register of Electors.

All enquiries about registering to vote, including voting by post or by proxy, must be directed to the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire) and not the council.

To vote in an Election or Referendum, you must be on the Electoral Register. Eligibility criteria will apply to each type of election but if you aren’t registered, you will be unable to vote.

Register on the UK Government website. You may call the Electoral Registration Officer to complete your registration or request a registration form.

The Electoral Commission have produced a British Sign Language (BSL) video on how to register to vote.

You must be aged 16 or over (14 or over in Scotland and Wales).

You must also be one of the following:

• a British citizen
• an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK
• a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who doesn’t need permission
• a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who doesn’t need permission

Check which elections you’re able to vote.

If voting in person at your local polling station is not convenient for you, you can choose to vote by post. You could also have someone your trust cast your vote for you with a proxy vote.

Find out more about postal and proxy voting from the UK Government website.