Your Voice, Your Vote: Scottish Parliament Elections 2026

Register to Vote

In Scotland, you can register to vote from the age of 14, but you must be 16 or over to actually cast your vote in the Scottish Parliament elections. To be able to vote you need to be on the register held by your local council. If you've moved house or changed your name since you last voted, you'll need to register again. The deadline to register is 20 April 2026 – that's 12 working days before polling day. The good news is that registering is straightforward – you can do it online at gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting your local council directly.

For those without a fixed address, including people experiencing homelessness or those in temporary accommodation, registration is still possible. Special forms are available that allow you to register using an address where you spend substantial time, such as a day centre or support service.

Good News About Photo ID

Unlike UK Parliament elections, you won't need any photo ID to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections. You don’t even need your polling card. This makes the process simpler for everyone.

Who Can Vote?

If you're registered to vote and aged 16 or over, you can vote in the Scottish Parliament elections. This includes UK and Irish citizens, qualifying Commonwealth citizens, and qualifying foreign nationals (citizens of another country who have permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who don't need such permission, including EU citizens).

Accessibility at Polling Stations

All voters have the right to vote independently and in secret. Polling stations will have assistive equipment available, including tactile voting devices that help you mark your ballot paper privately.

If you have particular access needs, we encourage you to contact your local council beforehand to discuss what support they can provide and request any additional equipment you need. We have contact details for all 32 Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers across Scotland – please get in touch with us at Sight Scotland or Sight Scotland Veterans if you'd like help finding the right person to speak to about your accessibility requirements.

You can also bring someone to help you vote – they can accompany you into the polling booth if needed. Your companion won't need to show any ID, but they must be 16 or over. Polling station staff are trained to provide support, so don't hesitate to ask for help when you arrive. The Presiding Officer – the person in charge of the polling station - can also assist you in casting your vote if that would be helpful.

Alternative Ways to Vote

If getting to a polling station isn't practical, there are other options:

• Voting by post (deadline 21 April at 5pm) means you can vote from home. No photo ID is required. When you apply, you'll need to provide your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature. If signing is difficult due to sight loss, it's possible to request a signature waiver – contact your local council to discuss this.
• Voting by proxy (deadline 21 April at 5pm) allows you to appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf at the polling station. They'll need to show their own photo ID, not yours.

If an emergency occurs after these deadlines, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on polling day itself.

Accessible Information

The Electoral Commission has produced comprehensive guides in various accessible formats including Braille, Audio and Large print.

These guides explain everything from registration through to what to expect on polling day. You can access these resources at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or by calling their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

BSL users can contact the Electoral Commission using SignLive, or Contact Scotland BSL.

Key Dates to Remember

• 1 April: Candidates announced – find out who's standing in your area
• 20 April: Registration deadline (12 working days before polling day)
• 21 April: Postal and proxy vote deadline (5pm, 11 working days before polling day) 7 May: Polling day (stations open 7am–10pm)
• 8 May: The count

Finding Your Polling Station

Around two weeks before election day, polling station locations will be published on the Electoral Commission website. The address of your polling station will also be on your poll card, which you'll receive in the post. Remember, you don't need your poll card to vote – it's just for information.

There will be signs outside and inside the polling station to show you where to go, and staff will be there to help guide you through the process.

Your two ballot papers

You will be given two ballot papers – one for your constituency and for the regional list. Ask the staff at the polling station to explain the difference if you are not sure.

Make Your Voice Heard

Voting is your opportunity to have a say in the issues that matter to you and your community. The Scottish Parliament makes decisions on health, education, social care, and many other areas that directly affect our lives.

For support with registering or voting, contact your local Electoral Registration Officer. Their details can be found by entering your postcode at electoralcommission.org.uk/voter or by calling 0800 328 0280. We also have a full list of contacts for all local authorities across Scotland and are happy to help you get in touch with the right person to discuss your accessibility needs. Democracy works best when everyone participates.