The deadline to register for the European elections is midnight on Tuesday, May 7 (TONIGHT).
WITH research highlighting the fact that an estimated 600,000 potential voters in Scotland are not on the electoral register, concerns have naturally been raised that they are losing the right to have their voice heard in the crucial European Parliament elections on May 23. It is estimated that around 7.9 million people across the UK are not on the register.
Those most at risk of missing out are young people – who will arguably be affected most by the outcome of the election – and private renters. Ironically this disproportionately includes EU citizens, who will be required to fill in an additional form should they want to vote
Young people living away from home can register to vote wherever they will be on 23rd May so long as they vote only in one place.
The deadline to register is midnight on Tuesday, May 7. However it is easy to do this online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
These elections have a big role to play in the future of our country. Voters in Scotland will elect six of the 736 members of the European Parliament who are responsible, along with the Council of Ministers from member states, for making laws and approving budgets.
More important, however, is that these elections will serve as a measure of public opinion on issues such as whether there should be another EU referendum or not.
European elections in the past have been blighted by low turnouts and apathy. However, this is not an election to stand aside from – it is one to make a mark for our country’s future and its relationship with the rest of the world over generations to come, so make sure you are registered to vote.
Mark Lazarowicz
Chair, European Movement in Scotland
