Making Your Voice and Your Vote Count
With the Scottish referendum fast approaching on the 18th September, everyone should be thinking about how to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to vote should they wish - especially those who require support.
To vote and have a say in the future of the country is an important human right. The upcoming referendum will have a huge impact on the future of Scotland and the lives of all her people.
What's the question?
Everyone registered to vote is being asked if they want Scotland to become an Independent Country or remain part of the UK. This will take the form of a single Question which is:
Should Scotland be and Independent Country?
Voters will be asked to choose either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
- Yes – Scotland should become an independent Country and no longer part of the United Kingdom (UK)
- No – Scotland should not become and independent Country and should remain part of the United Kingdom (UK)
Who can vote?
This vote is open to anyone 16 or over on the 18th September 2014, who lives in Scotland and is a British, Commonwealth or European Citizen.
How do you register to vote?
The deadline for registering to vote is midnight Tuesday 2nd September 2014 with the deadline for applications to vote by proxy or by postal vote being 5.00pm Wednesday 3rd September 2014.
Applications to register or to vote by proxy/postal vote can now be made online at the About My Vote website using this link: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/The_Independence_Referendum.aspx
Resources
We also have the following resources which maybe useful:
- Our Good Practice leaflet on how to Promote Citizenship through Voting for the People We Support: Good Practice Promoting Citizenship through Voting
- The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability has this leaflet; SCLD News Scotland's Future as well as this link to a range of other resources: http://www.scld.org.uk/indyref
There are also easy-read leaflets from both campaigns:-
- Here is the leaflet from Yes Scotland who are campaigning for a 'Yes' vote: Easy Read Guide to Independence
- Here is the leaflet from Better Together who are campaigning for a 'No' vote: Easy Read on Being Better Together
What does Scottish Independence mean for Carers?
- The National Carer Organisation have produced this briefing paper: National Carer Organisations Scottish Referendum Briefing Paper
So on the 18th September we are encouraging everyone who is eligible to vote to use that vote and to make your voice heard on the future of Scotland!