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Apply for a postal vote

Last updated
5 Jul 2024

A postal vote lets you vote from your own home. As long as you are registered to vote, you can apply for a postal vote. You do not need to give a reason. 

There are 2 ways to register for a postal vote:

  1. For UK Parliament elections only, you can apply online using the UK Government's online service.
  2. For UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and local government elections, you can complete a postal vote application form.

For UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and local government elections 

The next Scottish Parliament election will be on 7 May 2026. 

You can apply to vote by post for UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament or local government elections by downloading and completing a postal vote application form.

Once you have filled it in, send it to your local Electoral Registration Office (ERO) for approval. 

If you cannot print the application form 

If you cannot print the application form, you can ask your local ERO to send you one. 

You can find details of your ERO on your local council website. 

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council The Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Shetland Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

Where to send your completed form

When you've completed the form, you can:

  • post it to your local ERO
  • email a scanned copy or a photo of it to your local ERO

For UK Parliament elections only

It is possible to apply online for a postal vote for UK Parliament elections only. You can do this using the UK Government's online service. 

You cannot apply for a postal vote in Scottish Parliament and local government elections using the GOV.UK online service.

Get help with a postal vote 

If you need help with a postal vote you should contact your local registration office. 

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