Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Scottish Parliament elections

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Who can vote at polling stations?

Most people choose to vote in person at their polling station. Any person on the polling station’s electoral register can vote at the polling station in a Scottish Parliament election, unless:

  • they are a registered postal voter
  • they are a registered proxy voter and their proxy has already voted for them or has applied to vote on their behalf by post
  • they are not 16 years of age or older on polling day
  • they are registered as an overseas elector

Electors will receive a poll card before the election telling them where and when they can vote. Electors do not need to take their poll card to the polling station in order to vote, unless they are registered anonymously.
 
Any voters waiting in a queue at their polling station at 10pm will be allowed to vote, even if they haven’t been issued with ballot papers.

Return of postal ballot packs

Registered postal voters cannot be issued with ballot papers at the polling station, but they can return their completed postal ballot pack to their polling station on polling day. Alternatively, they may return their postal vote to certain other polling stations in the constituency (the elections office will be able to provide details) or by hand to the Constituency Returning Officer at the elections office.
 
Postal ballot packs returned to polling stations must be handed to polling station staff and not placed in the ballot box.

Any voters waiting in a queue at their polling station at 10pm will be allowed to return their postal ballot pack.

Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf: 18 Medi 2025