Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill 2024-26
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) Bill is a Ballot Bill tabled by Tracy Gilbert.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?Yes. This Bill was introduced on 16 October 2024 and is currently before Parliament.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Tracy Gilbert), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.
The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.
So is this going to become a law?Historically, between 3 and 13 of the 20 Ballot Bills have succeeded in becoming enacted into law. Therefore, provided this bill is sufficiently high in the Ballot and the Government has no means to object to the bill, it has the greatest chance of PMBs to be enacted into law.
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: 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
Next Event: Wednesday 15th October 2025 - Committee stage
Last Event: Friday 5th September 2025 - 2nd reading (Lords)
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