Explanatory Notes

Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020

2020 asp 2

29 January 2020

Commentary

Franchise

Section 4 – Those who are entitled to vote

21.Section 4 provides details of those who can vote in a referendum. The franchise is the same as at local government elections and Scottish Parliament elections which is set out in section 2 of the Representation of People Act 1983. An individual is entitled to vote in a referendum held under this framework if the person meets all the following criteria as at the date of the referendum:

Section 5 – Those who are subject to a legal incapacity to vote

22.This section sets out that a person is subject to a legal incapacity to vote in a referendum if they would be legally incapable under any enactment or rule of law of voting in a local government election held in Scotland on that same date.