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Where will you be on Thursday May 5?

With both the Scottish Parliament election and the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years taking place on Thursday, May 5, Aberdeenshire Council is urging local voters to have their say.

Many residents may take advantage of the upcoming bank holidays and plan to be away from home on May 5.

However, they can ensure their voice is still heard by applying to vote by post or by proxy.

Returning Officer Colin Mackenzie said: “Now is the time to make sure you’re registered to vote before the deadline on Friday, April 15 and to apply for a postal or proxy vote if you need one.”

Application forms are available for download from www.voteaberdeenshire.org

Forms can also be sent to electors by post if they call (01224) 664848, or email: ero@grampian-ero.gov.uk

Electors can pick up a form in person from the Electoral Registration Offices at Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen; Mitchell Burnett House, Colleonard Road, Banff and 234 High Street, Elgin.

In the Scottish Parliament election, voters in Aberdeenshire will be able to cast their vote for who they want to represent them in the Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Aberdeenshire East and Aberdeenshire West Constituencies and also the North East Scotland region.

At this election however, some Aberdeenshire Council residents are in the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, and Angus North and Mearns Constituencies.

Election information provided by neighbouring local authorities can be found at: www.angus.gov.uk/elections, www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Councillors/ElectionsUnit/rm_Electionshomepage.asp and www.moray.gov.uk/elections

Eligible voters in the Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Aberdeenshire East and Aberdeenshire West Constituencies can check the location of their polling station on their poll cards, which were delivered to households last week.

The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on 5 May is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission’s Scotland Office, said: “People don’t always realise that they can have their say in different ways, including by post or by asking someone you trust (a ‘proxy’) to cast your vote for you.

“We know that the way bank holidays fall this spring means that many people may be away from home on Thursday 5 May, so we’re making sure that people who want a postal or proxy vote know what they need to do in advance.”