Voting by post

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can apply to 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 the polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

Note that the Ballot Paper(s) will not be issued immediately on receipt of your application and may be sent to you less than a week before an event.

How do I apply for a postal vote?

The process for applying for a postal vote in Scotland depends on the type of election:

• All elections – Download, print and complete an application to vote by post
• UK Parliamentary elections – Apply online through GOV.UK or download, print and complete an application to vote by post in reserved elections
• Scottish Parliamentary and local council elections – Download, print and complete an application to vote by post in devolved elections

All application forms are available to download in the Electoral Forms section of our website.

How long does my postal vote last?

For UK Parliamentary elections, a postal vote can last no more than three years before you need to reapply.

For Scottish Parliamentary and local council elections, you can have a postal vote for an indefinite period, but we will contact you to refresh your signature after five years.

Voting by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is referred to as your proxy.

You are required to give a reason why you can’t get to your polling station in person (e.g. because you are going to be on holiday, away with work, or unable to get to your polling station due to a disability).

How do I apply for a Proxy vote

The process for applying for a proxy vote in Scotland depends on whether you are applying for a particular election or a permanent/long-term proxy vote:

• Particular election – Download, print and complete an application to vote by proxy at a particular election. For UK Parliamentary elections, you can also apply online through GOV.UK.

• A permanent/long-term proxy vote – The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote. All application forms are available to download in the Electoral Forms section of our website.