Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025
make provision about absent voting in connection with local government elections in Scotland and Wales, elections to the Scottish Parliament and elections to Senedd Cymru; and for connected purposes.
Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 was a Ballot Bill tabled by Tracy Gilbert that became an Act of Parliament.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?No. This Bill was introduced on 16 October 2024 and became an Act of Parliament on 27 October 2025.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Tracy Gilbert), not the Government.
How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Act of Parliament, Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates
This bill has received Royal Assent and has become an Act of Parliament
9 Amendments have been proposed for this Bill
View AmendmentsBill Progession through Parliament
Latest Key documents
Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages
1
Tracy Gilbert (Lab)Tabled: 2 Jul 2025
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 4 July 2025
This amendment was agreed to
Clause 2, page 4, line 37, at end insert— "(3A) In section 114 (subordinate legislation: particular provisions), in subsection (1), after "sections” insert “12B,””
1
Tracy Gilbert (Lab)Tabled: 1 May 2025
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 11 June 2025
This amendment was no decision
Clause 1, page 2, line 12, at end insert— "(4A) Regulations under this paragraph may, in connection with provision under sub-paragraph (1), include transitional provision under section 201(3) which makes provision for, or in connection with, the expiry of some or all devolved election proxy appointments.”
2
Tracy Gilbert (Lab)Tabled: 1 May 2025
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 11 June 2025
This amendment was no decision
Clause 1, page 2, line 15, at end insert— ““devolved election proxy appointment” means the appointment of a person as a proxy to vote for another person at local government elections in Wales or Scotland, where the appointment was made before a date specified in the regulations on an application under paragraph 6(7) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000;
3
Tracy Gilbert (Lab)Tabled: 1 May 2025
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 11 June 2025
This amendment was no decision
Clause 4, page 6, line 8, leave out from “entitlements” to the end of line 9
4
Tracy Gilbert (Lab)Tabled: 1 May 2025
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 11 June 2025
This amendment was no decision
Clause 4, page 6, leave out lines 22 to 26