Glasgow could be leading the way in Scotland by allowing voters to automatically be enrolled onto the electoral register. Senior SNP figures, including National Secretary Alex Kerr and MSP Bob Doris, are pushing for this initiative in the country’s largest city.
The pilot project would enable voters in Glasgow to opt-out instead of opt-in to being added to the electoral roll. This means that most citizens would be able to vote at polling booths without having to register beforehand. This move comes after the recent UK General Election, where Scots were required to show photo ID to vote for the first time.
Mr. Kerr, representing the Baillieston ward, has reached out to Bob Doris MSP to garner support for Glasgow to become a pilot area for Automatic Voter Registration. He emphasized the importance of making democracy as open as possible, especially for those from deprived backgrounds who may face barriers to participation.
Discussions with Glasgow councillor and SNP MSP Bob Doris led to the proposal being brought to a Scottish Parliament committee. Mr. Doris called for the adoption of pilot programs for automatic voter enrollment, with hopes of making any successful pilot permanent. He also arranged a meeting with the Scottish Government to explore incorporating this initiative into the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill currently under consideration.
By embracing automatic voter registration, Glasgow and Scotland as a whole aim to improve access to voting for all citizens. These efforts seek to address the issue of up to 1 million people in Scotland either not being registered to vote or having inaccurate details on the register.
The SNP’s push for automatic voter registration in Glasgow reflects a commitment to strengthening democracy and maximizing opportunities for community participation in the democratic process. This initiative could set a precedent for the rest of Scotland to follow, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible electoral system.