EA Bulletin: 397 Scotland

New legislation will allow for electors to make online absent vote applications (OAVA) for both Scottish Parliamentary and Scottish local government elections from 3 November 2026. This will allow electors in Scotland to make online absent voting applications for all elections, which currently they may only do for UK Parliamentary elections. 

In advance of the implementation date, EROs must now review existing absent vote records, remove or correct discrepancies and align records where electors have different absent vote arrangements for different election types, by notifying affected electors.

We have published updated guidance for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs setting out the transitional actions required to implement the changes introduced by The Absent Voting (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 and The Absent Voting (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026.

Our guidance explains:
•    the discrepancies in existing absent voting arrangements that must be removed 
•    the appropriate action to take to enable records to be corrected, removed or aligned by 3 November 2026
•    the appropriate action to take as soon as practicable after 3 November 2026 to update records and inform voters

We have also provided template discrepancy notices that can be used when carrying out the required transitional actions.

In addition, we have updated our existing ERO guidance to cover processing absent vote applications both before and after 3 November 2026.

If you have any queries or need any further support, please contact the Scotland team at [email protected]
 

Further to Bulletin 395, the provisions setting out the handling of data protection complaints came into force on 19 June 2026. These new rules apply to EROs and ROs in their role as data controllers.

We have updated our data protection guidance for EROs and ROs to reflect these new requirements. If you have any questions about any of these updates or need any further support, please contact the Scotland team at [email protected]. 
 

We have published our independent evaluation of the UK government’s flexible voting pilots at the May 2026 local elections in England.

2026 flexible voting pilots evaluation | Electoral Commission

These pilots tested early voting in Cambridge, North Hertfordshire and Tunbridge Wells, and a centralised voting hub in Milton Keynes. The Commission’s evaluation found that the pilots were delivered successfully, with few administrative issues reported by Returning Officers. While take-up was low, voters who used the flexible voting options were positive about their experience and welcomed the flexibility, convenience and accessibility they offered.

We have made recommendations to UK Government in relation to any future piloting or assessment of flexible voting options. These highlight the other options for introducing greater flexibility for voters and, if further pilots are proposed, the need to design them in a way that generates a comprehensive and comparative evidence base, rather than simply replicating the current body of evidence.

To support your delivery of the annual canvass, we have a set of resources to help you promote the canvass in your area and encourage residents to complete the required steps. Available resources include:

•    Social media graphics
•    Template social media messaging
•    A template press release

The social media graphics are designed to be clear and adaptable, using simple icons to represent the key stages of the canvass. The graphics are supported by ready-to-use social media messages, allowing you to select what will work best for you and your residents.
Following feedback from ERO colleagues, we have added two new messages to our set:

•    Update your details without waiting. Remind residents to tell their local electoral registration office about any changes to their details as soon as possible, rather than waiting for an election or the annual canvass

•    Council tax isn't voter registration. Registering for council tax at a new address does not automatically register you, or anyone else in your household, to vote there.

We hope these resources make it easier to communicate key annual canvass messages and help residents keep their electoral registration up to date.