Kenneth Lawrie, the chief executive of Midlothian Council, acts as the Returning Officer for the constituency of Midlothian. As Returning Officer, Kenneth Lawrie receives the Writ commanding the holding of a General Election.
We want people over the age of 18 on or before the election date to make sure they don't miss out on their democratic right to vote as a UK citizen. Please register to vote.
Please watch this brief video on why voting matters. It's your vote. Make sure you can use it.
If you haven't voted before, please watch this video, kindly supplied by colleagues at Aberdeenshire Council.
You can also: Register to vote by post if you wish – follow this link. Voters can also appoint a person to vote on their behalf if they are unable to attend the polling place, studying away from home or working away from home. This is Voting by Proxy – follow this link.
There are restrictions of the kind of publicity and events Midlothian Council can organise during the general election. The General Election Publicity Guidance (PDF) is available by following the link.
Voting in elections You can register to vote in local government, Scottish Parliament and Parliament elections if you are a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen and if you are 16 or over. You cannot vote until your 18th birthday. Citizens of EU countries, other than the UK, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus or Malta, cannot vote in UK Parliamentary elections, and must fill in a separate form to vote in the UK's European Parliamentary elections.
To register your vote or arrange absent (postal or proxy) voting, contact Lothian Valuation Joint Board, tel: 0131 344 2500
