THE Scottish Parliament election is snow joke — especially when May 6 feels like a winters day.
Activists across the country have been working to get out the vote, with polling stations open from 7am for 15 hours of Covid-compliant voting.
It's known that fair weather helps increase turnout. But it's been baltic in many areas of Scotland.
With frigid rain in some parts and plenty of snow in others, activists have had to wrap up to encourage the public to use their votes.
But there's still been a flurry of activity.
Kate Forbes, standing for the SNP in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, shared a pic of this snowman, saying: "This is how we get the vote out in Scotland for a May election."
⛄️This is how we Get Out the Vote in Scotland for a May election. pic.twitter.com/4dAQykEJwU
— Kate Forbes (@_KateForbes) May 6, 2021
John Swinney of the SNP was fully bobble-hatted in Perthshire North, while his companion Pete Wishart MP had to don a puffer jacket.
The Get Out the Vote operation for #PerthshireNorth @theSNP is in full swing with @PeteWishart. Polls open till 10pm. #BothVotesSNP pic.twitter.com/KJcwmFV0KR
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) May 6, 2021
And Graham Campbell, SNP list candidate in the Lothians, managed to keep smiling on a slushy street while he waited for the bus.
Taking one for the team here... what a time to be at a bus stop with no shelter. This is what it takes to Get Out the Vote - so be it pic.twitter.com/rEkQSPBovu
— Graham Campbell SNP #GrahamCampbell4Lothian (@CeeGraham1) May 6, 2021
Keiran O'Neill, Labour candidate in Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, said "not even the harshest of climates could deter" his "crack team of activists" working in less-than sunny conditions.
Not even the harshest of climates can deter our crack team of activists reminding residents to get out and make it #BothVotesLabour before 10pm. Even managed to convince a few undecideds and SNP supporters to trust us with their vote! #SP21 pic.twitter.com/noMkw8P3X0
— Keiran O'Neill (@KeiranON) May 6, 2021
And Alba Party Lothian list candidate Christina Hendry encouraged Scots to adopt the same outlook.
She said: "The weather can't seem to make its mind up today.
"No matter if it's rain or hail, make sure you get out and use your democratic right to vote."
The weather can’t seem to make its mind up today... but no matter if it’s rain or hail, make sure you get out and use your democratic right to vote!
— Christina Hendry (@ChristinaH3ndry) May 6, 2021
It’s so important Scotland has a strong voice in the pandemic recovery, if you want Scottish independence make your #ListVoteALBA pic.twitter.com/lCG02PClxT
There's still plenty of time for anyone who hasn't get voted themselves or via a designated proxy.
Polling stations will be open across the country until 10pm.
This year there are 4,280,785 confirmed voters – the highest electorate ever for a Scottish Parliament election.
Almost a quarter of people have chosen to vote by post, and there's also time to return any that haven't been sent by taking these to a local polling station.
Malcolm Burr, the convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, said: "We can’t count any votes that come back to us after 10pm on 6 May so if you have a postal vote make sure you send it back in plenty of time.
"If you do leave it late then you can drop your completed pack at your local polling place on election day."
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