Types of election, referendums, and who can vote
Scottish Parliament
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).
To vote in Scottish Parliament elections you must:
- be registered to vote at an address in Scotland
- be 16 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
- not be legally excluded from voting
You can vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen.
You can also vote if you’re a citizen of another country and have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission.
MSPs are elected using the Additional Member system. You vote once for your constituency MSP and once for an MSP to represent the wider region.
Read more about the Scottish Parliament elections on the Electoral Commission website.