Your Vote Really Counts - so Let's Make it Easier!
Vote by Post
Vote from home, or away from home. On holiday, or if you're sick. Avoid travelling to a voting station or the risk of bad weather.
The process is simple - and we've made it even easier. Let us know, and we'll deliver an application form to you, together with a Freepost envelope to get started.
But do it now - the deadline for your completed voting forms is approaching. Help us protect what has been achieved - and deliver the Scotland we want!
The deadline to apply for a postal vote in the Scottish Parliament election taking place on the 7th of May is
5pm on Tuesday 21st April
You must also be registered to vote.
Fill in the boxes below and choose "Submit". Once we have your details we'll deliver a postal voting application form and freepost return envelope.
Make sure you're registered to vote
To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote. Find out if you're eligible to register and how to apply.
If you're not sure if you already have a postal vote, contact your local electoral registration office to find out.
Voting by post
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.
You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.
You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election. Find out more about how to vote by post.
Complete an application form
The process for applying for a postal vote in Scotland depends on the type of election:
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To apply to vote by post for all elections, download, print and complete an application to vote by post in Scotland (PDF)
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For Scottish Parliament and council elections in Scotland, you can fill in an application to vote by post
You can choose to apply for a postal vote for a particular election, a particular type of election, or all elections you are eligible to vote in. You need to complete a new postal vote application if you have moved house or changed your name.
Long-term postal votes
For Scottish Parliament elections and council elections, you can have a postal vote for an indefinite period, but your local electoral registration office will contact you to refresh your signature after five years.
If you would like to apply for a long-term postal vote for a particular type of election (for example, for council elections), you need to contact your local electoral registration office.
Help with the form
If you need any support with your application, are unable to print the application form or need it in an accessible format, contact your local electoral registration office for help.
Filling in your application
Instructions on how to complete the application correctly are provided on both the paper and online forms.
You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form. For UK Parliament elections, you will also need to include your National Insurance number. These are used to confirm your identity when you vote by post.
If you’re unable to provide your National Insurance number, you will need to explain why in your application. Your local electoral registration office will contact you to discuss which other forms of identification you will need to provide.
Contact your local electoral registration office for more information if you're unable to sign the form, or are unable to sign in consistent way.
Submit your completed application
If you are applying using a paper application form, once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to your local electoral registration office.
You can send your form by post. Your local electoral registration office may also accept a scanned copy of your form by email, but you should check with them first.
If you are applying online to vote by post in a UK Parliament election, you need to complete the whole application in one go and follow the instructions on gov.uk to submit your application.
You must submit your application by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. Your local electoral registration office will confirm when your postal vote is in place. The deadline for the Scottish Parliament elections is 5pm on Tuesday 21st April.
Where to send your application
If you live in the Scottish Borders Council area:
Send your postal and proxy vote applications to your local electoral registration team. You can also contact them to find out if you’re on the electoral register, and if you already have a postal or proxy vote.
Electoral Registration Officer
PO Box 13639
Council Headquarters
Newtown St Boswells
MELROSE
TD6 6BQ
Phone: 01835 825100
Email: Electoral.Registration@scotborders.gov.uk
If you live in the Midlothian Council area:
Send your postal and proxy vote applications to your local electoral registration team. You can also contact them to find out if you’re on the electoral register, and if you already have a postal or proxy vote.
Electoral Registration Officer
Lothian Valuation Joint Board
17A South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9FL
Phone: 0131 344 2500
Email: enquiries@lothian-vjb.gov.uk
How to cancel your postal vote
If you want to cancel your postal vote, contact your local electoral registration office to request this. You must do so before 5pm, 11 working days before the election you will be voting in.
If you have already returned your completed postal vote, then you will not be able to cancel it for that election.
If you have a postal vote and want to change it to a proxy vote, you must cancel your postal vote by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. You can then submit a proxy vote application by 5pm, six working days before the poll.