including young voters. those who have recently moved house and immigrant groups. “We recently did a photocall involving (‘hinese children with the traditional New Year's lion’s head.‘ says Andy. ‘hecause the (‘hinese community has a lower—than-average registration. And we've been campaigning with Polish bus drivers in Glasgow and Aberdeen.~

The deadline for registration is Wednesday 18 April. By then the looming election will be hard to

ignore and you'll have to go out of

your way not to vote.

That‘s a crime in some countries and they call themselves democracies too.

To find out more, call the VoteScotland helpline on 0131 225 0215 or visit www.votescot|and.com

To ensure you are registered, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Whyandhowtovote

I Why you should vote Voting is the single most important thing you can do to make your voice heard in Scotland so think about which party or parties best represent the issues that matter to you.

Politics affects just about everything in your everyday life. from the sports facilities available in yOur local area to the subjects yOur children are taught in school.

I How to vote You must be registered in order to vote. Contact VoteScotland to make sure you are registered and find Out what to do if you're not. The final deadline to register is Wednesday 18 April.

If you can't get to your local polling place on Thursday 3 May. you have two alternatives:

CASE STUDY 1

THE IMMIGRANT VOTER Jeanice Lee, 33, comes from Hong Kong and now lives in Musselburgh, East Lothian, where she works as a management consuhant

'l have been living in Scotland for over 14 years. I did not know much about the electoral structures when I first came. though I soon learned more about it and registered to vote when I became eligible.

'Voting is a fundamental part of any democratic society. It is very easy to become disillusioned with politics. but I think frustration and discontent should be seen as the fuel for change. Hence all the more reason to vote and have your say.

‘Many people from ethnic minority communities are eligible to vote but do not. There is a mixture of reasons: language difficulties. Cultural barriers. lack of understanding. It is important that these barriers are broken down.

“As an ethnic minority person. equality and antidiscrimination issues are important to me. but the issue that is closest to my heart is the enVironment. Climate change affects everyone and everything on this planet and it is not going to go away.‘

CASE STUDY 2

THE OLDER VOTER

Agnes McGroarty, 71, is a pensioner living in Shawlands, Glasgow. She is actively involved in her community and has always believed it is important to vote.

‘I voted as soon as I was old enough to do so and have voted in every election ever since. I make sure my two daughters. son and grandchildren vote and I think it's important to remind the younger generation how important our democracy is.

'Voting is not something we should take for granted. There was a time when women couldn't vote. Now that we have the right to vote I firmly believe that we shouldn't waste the chance to do so.

‘My family and friends are the most important thing to me but the environment is also important for the sake of the future generations.

'As Chair of the West of Scotland Seniors Forum a grassroots organisation dealing with issues of importance to older people »— I am currently involved in community transport. This is something that is really impodant for older people in Scotland.‘

1 Get someone else to go for you (voting by proxy)

2 Vote by post

For details go to: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

On Thursday 3 May you will have the opportunity to vote for two separate forms of representation:

1 The Scottish Parliament - there are 129 seats for MSPs

Under the Additional Member System. you can place two votes. One is for the political party of your choice; the other is for your preferred constituency MSP, who does not need to belong to the same party. Place an X in each of the relevant boxes.

2 Your local council - there are 32 around Scotland, divided into wards

Under the new Single Transferable Vote system. you can vote for as many or as few of the candidates in your ward as you like. Number your votes 1, 2. 3. etc in descending order of preference.

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