Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025

What the bill does

A Bill to 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.

Progress through Parliament

What Royal Assent means, and what happens next

The bill has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Its provisions come into force on the date the Act specifies, which may be immediately, on a set date, or when a minister makes a commencement order.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at Royal Assent

Questions about the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025

What stage is the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 at?

The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Has the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 become law?

Yes. The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Who sponsored the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025?

The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 was sponsored by Tracy Gilbert.

When was the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 16 October 2024, at first reading.

Other bills at Royal Assent

• Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026 · Peter Kyle
• National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 · Shabana Mahmood
• Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Act 2026 · Rachel Reeves
• Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2026 · Dan Tomlinson
• Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act · Angela Rayner
• Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 · Bridget Phillipson

See every bill before Parliament