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Recent Reports
Aithisgean ùra
Committee Reports
Aithisgean Chomataidh
Research Briefings
Brathan-ullachaidh Rannsachadh
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Ais-eòlas
Published by The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Electoral reform in Scotland and the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill
Author: Sarah McKay and Courtney Aitken
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Published: Wednesday 28 Feb 2024 (SB 24-09)
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Overview
Report
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Overview
Report
Summary
Law Commission Joint Review on Electoral Law
Recent electoral legislation
Background to the introduction of the Bill
Scottish Government Electoral Reform Consultation
Candidacy
Candidacy rights
Disqualification for intimidatory or abusive behaviour
Free mailout
Publication of home addresses
Residential location on ballot paper
Franchise
Voting
Registration
Improving accessibility
Undue influence
Absent voting
Proxy voting
Emergency proxy
Acting as a proxy
Postal voting
Scheduling of elections
Dissolution of the Scottish Parliament
By-elections
Postponement of scheduled local government elections
Campaigning and finance
Notional expenditure, third party campaigners and Electoral Commission fines
Digital imprints
Administration and governance
Review of electoral boundaries and adoption of Boundaries Scotland recommendations
The Electoral Commission in Scotland
Structure of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland
The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill
Part 1: Candidacy rights of foreign nationals
Part 2: Disqualification
Scottish disqualification order
Elections Act 2022 Disqualification Orders
Temporary relief from the effect of disqualification
Ending the ambulatory effect of section 15 of the Scotland Act 1998
Part 3: Campaign finance
Notional campaign expenditure
Third party campaigners
Third party campaigning
Spending by third party campaigners based overseas
Electoral Commission code of practice on third party campaigning
Part 4: Rescheduling of elections
Amendments to the power of the Presiding Officer to postpone an ordinary general election
Power of Presiding Officer to schedule extraordinary general elections
Election of the Presiding Officer and Nomination of First Minister following a rescheduled general election
Rescheduling of constituency by-elections
Local government elections
Postponement of ordinary local elections
Postponement of local by-elections
Part 5: Election pilots and democratic engagement
Part 6: Information to be included with certain electronic material at Scottish elections
Part 7: Boundaries
Part 8: Electoral Commission five year plan
Part 9: Electoral Management Board for Scotland
Part 10: General provisions
Disqualification of MSPs and local councillors appearing on the sex offender register
Areas consulted on but not included in the Bill
Automatic adoption of recommendations by Boundaries Scotland
Candidacy rights for 16 and 17 year olds
Extension of franchise to asylum seekers and those detained on mental health grounds relating to criminal justice
Electoral Commission maximum fine
Cumulative spend by third party campaigners at devolved elections
Undue influence
Absent voting
Free mailout
Publication of home addresses and residential location on ballot paper
Registration
Accessibility
Additional issues of interest
Dual mandate
Security of elections
Secure and resilient electoral infrastructure
Protecting elected officials and candidates
Disinformation from AI-generated content
Proposed Removal from Office and Recall (Members of the Scottish Parliament) Bill
Summary
Law Commission Joint Review on Electoral Law
Recent electoral legislation
Background to the introduction of the Bill
Scottish Government Electoral Reform Consultation
The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill
Areas consulted on but not included in the Bill
Additional issues of interest
Sources
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