The Ballot Paper

Scottish Parliamentary elections use a type of Proportional Representation called the Additional Member System (AMS).

With AMS, each voter has two votes:

  • Regional vote
  • Constituency vote

There will be one ballot paper for the Scottish Parliament election.

The left hand side of the ballot paper contains the list of parties and individual candidates standing for election as Regional MSPs.

The right hand side will contain the list of candidates standing as Constituency MSPs.

Each side will be a different colour to make clear which type of MSP it is referring to.

A vote is cast by putting an X beside the voter’s preferred candidate or party in each of the two lists on the ballot paper.

Link opens in new window Download an example Scottish Parliament Election Ballot Paper (PDF, 45Kb)