Deadlines for taking part in Highland Council By-elections draw near 

Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer

With less than a week to go the deadlines for people to register to vote or apply for a postal vote for the upcoming Ward 3 and Ward 13 Highland Council by-elections are fast approaching.

Polling will take place on Thursday 12 August to elect one of five candidates standing in The Highland Council's Wick and East Caithness ward and one of seven candidates standing in the Inverness West ward so voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to make their vote count.

To take part eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 26 July 2021. To complete a register to vote application online  visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote  (external link) or alternatively telephone the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk to request a paper application form. Applications must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, INVERNESS, IV1 1QY by the deadline.

The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 27 July and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Wednesday 4 August 2021. Postal Packs are being delivered by Royal Mail on Wednesday 4 August 2021.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 12 August 2021 and the electronic counting of votes will take place the following day in Inverness.

The five Wick and East Caithness ward candidates standing for election are:

•         CAMERON, Michael James - Scottish National Party (SNP)
•         CHRISTIAN, Harry - Scottish Libertarian Party
•         FERNIE, Bill - Independent
•         ROSS, Daniel - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
•         TILT, Jill - Scottish Liberal Democrats

The seven Inverness West ward candidates standing for election are:

•         AITKEN, Colin - Scottish Liberal Democrats
•         BANNERMAN, Max - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
•         FORSYTH, Iain Cullens - Independence for Scotland Party
•         LIPTROT, Calum Mark - Scottish Libertarian Party
•         MACKINTOSH, Ryan – Scottish Green Party
•         MACLEAN, Kate – Scottish National Party (SNP)
•         MCDONALD Duncan - Independent
 
Further details on these two by-elections, including what options there are for voting and answers to frequently asked questions is available by visiting the Council’s website