Highland Voters - Be prepared to cast your vote
Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer for Highland – Derek Brown
Residents in the two Highland Constituencies of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross and Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire are being urged to prepare ahead of the UK parliamentary general election taking place on Thursday 4 July 2024.
On Thursday all Highland polling stations will open their doors at 7am and remaining open for voters until 10pm.
For the first time, voters will need to show photographic ID to vote in a UK parliamentary general election. The Returning Officer for Highland, Derek Brown is reminding anyone planning to vote in person on Thursday to make sure they bring along with them an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as a Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
To mark your vote in the general election mark a single X (cross) against your choice of candidate. Clear instructions will be on display in every polling booth and trained polling station staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
The general election count will take place overnight on Thursday 4 July, starting as soon after 10pm as possible, at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall. The Council will be providing live coverage of the whole count process via their YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/live/RpW5LbFIbNg and you can also get updates and the results via their social media channels @HighlandCouncil.
Voters can apply for an emergency proxy until 5pm Thursday 4 July under the following circumstances:
- You have a medical emergency (PDF)
- You are away for work (PDF)
- Your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged (PDF) after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed. This form can also be used if your Anonymous Elector's Document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged (UK Parliament elections or recall petitions only).
If you qualify for the above, please contact the Electoral Registration Office telephone: 0800 393783 or email: ero@highland.gov.uk
Postal voters who have not yet returned their postal votes are reminded that they can hand in their General Election postal ballot papers to any polling station within their constituency up until 10pm on Thursday 4 July.
Today (Tuesday 2 July) and tomorrow (Wednesday 3 July) you can drop off your postal pack in person or request a replacement pack between 10am and 4pm at the following locations:
- Dingwall Council Offices
- Fort William Service Point
- Highland Council Headquarters, Inverness
- Portree Service Point
- Wick Service Point
In addition, staff will be located in Lairg Library today to collect completed postal votes and issue replacements during the library opening hours which on a Tuesday are:1200-1530 and 1600 -1900.
For any advice and assistance please call the election helpline on 01349 886657, The line is open 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Outwith these hours, there is a recorded message. Information for voters is also available at www.highland.gov.uk/ge2024
ENDS