Remember to register to vote!

Published 26 March 2026

Residents are being reminded to ensure they are registered to vote in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections as the deadline for postal voting approaches.Residents are being reminded to ensure they are registered to vote in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections as the deadline for postal voting approaches.

On Thursday 7 May, residents will get the opportunity to have their say on which candidates they want to represent them in Holyrood.

The Scottish Parliament has powers to make laws for Scotland on a range of important issues including local government, transport, education, environment, health, police and fire services.

Residents have until midnight on Monday 20 April to register to vote.

In addition, residents planning to use a postal vote must be registered and have submitted an application to the Electoral Registration Office for postal vote by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April. Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

First-time voters and people who have moved house recently are among those who may not yet be included in the electoral register.

Any resident not registered ahead of the deadline will not be able to vote in this election.

Registration is a simple process and it only takes a few minutes to complete the forms online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

If you are registered to vote and wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote, you must submit an application to your local Electoral Registration Office at Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board, 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 4XJ. Applications can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote.  Applications for postal and proxy votes for Scottish elections must be made on paper application forms which must be delivered to the Electoral Registration Office.  You may also scan and email your completed application to ero-wdc@dab-vjb.gov.uk

To vote in Scottish Parliament elections you must be registered to vote at an address in Scotland, be 16 or over on the day of the election and not be legally excluded from voting.