A SCOTTISH independence network volunteer has come up with an idea to help promote voter registration at Yes stalls.
The National Yes Network shared a QR code initiative on its Facebook page.
The group said: “One of our volunteers has provided QR codes to help get people registered and able to vote with two links, one to the UK Government voter registration page, the other to the UK Government voter ID page, where you can apply for free ID if required.
“Handy to have a couple printed on stalls.”
READ MORE: Keep Scotland the Brand founder: Poll shows need to fight for Scotland's reputation
Scanning a QR code with a mobile phone will take people directly to websites where they can register to vote.
The idea came about after the SNP Independence Convention in Dundee. Ruth Watson, a volunteer for Yes Kirriemuir, said: “It was somebody there, who said ‘we should be using QR codes’ and I thought, aye, she’s right we should.
“I went to a meeting at Yes Kirriemuir and we were talking about for our stalls, getting people out to vote and to make sure they’ve got the necessary voter ID and how to get them there.”
She added: “We needed a way to handle this in a way people can trust – you see some political parties being quite opportunistic that say ‘send us your information and we’ll do it for you’.”
The campaigner went on: “Everybody loses when democracy is undermined, I can understand why authoritarian Tories and flippy-floppy Labour would like these changes to go ahead because they don’t like engaging with democracy.
“If it helps people from different political perspectives then that’s a good thing.”
READ MORE: Electoral Commission: 14,000 people denied ballot due to voter ID rule
Yessers were impressed with the suggestion – with one Facebook user writing: “Brilliant idea. I’ll need to make a space for this in the Indy Windae”.
It comes after fury over Tory “gerrymandering” attempts – as the party was accused of trying to cling to power by using voter ID requirements to boost its electoral chances.
The policy saw voters across England casting their ballots in the local elections in May needing to present photo ID.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel