Your vote matters

​Thursday, May 4, will see us go to the polls for the Scottish local government election.

Voters have a single transferable vote this time and you can learn about how that works when it comes to the count by watching a short video by the Electoral Commission.

It’s been five years since an election was last held to appoint all of the elected members that make up Aberdeenshire Council, which this year will rise from 68 to 70 seats. And, it’s the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to cast their vote in a Scottish local government election.

Chief Executive Jim Savege who is also the Council’s Returning Officer said: “The upcoming election will lead to the appointment of councillors for the next five-year term of Aberdeenshire Council, so this is the most important time for people to influence how they are represented locally.”

You can find further information on the upcoming election, including details of candidates, on the Council’s website at http://bit.ly/shire17