Still time to apply to vote in Highland Council By-elections
Issued on behalf of The Returning Officer
Polling will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024 to elect two of 12 candidates standing in The Highland Council's Cromarty Firth Ward by-election and one of 6 candidates for Ward 14 - Inverness Central. Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
The by-elections are being held following the resignations of three councillors.
The Cromarty Firth Ward is a 4-member Ward. With the resignation of Councillors Pauline Munro (Highland Independent) and Molly Nolan (Scottish Liberal Democrats) there are two vacancies for Ward 6. The other Ward members are Councillors Tamala Collier (Scottish National Party) and Maxine Smith (Highland Alliance).
Ward 14 - Inverness Central is a 3-member ward. Following the resignation of Bet McAllister (Scottish Labour Party) there is one vacancy to be filled. The other Ward members are Michael Cameron (Scottish National Party) and Kate MacLean (Scottish National Party).
Anyone aged over 16 who is living in the designated wards are eligible to vote if they are registered. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 10 September 2024. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper application form.
Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or appoint a proxy which is requesting someone to vote on their behalf. Photographic ID is not required for people voting at polling stations for this election as it only applies to UK Parliamentary elections.
The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 11 September 2024 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk
Those intending to vote are reminded that the single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.
The candidates standing for Ward 6 are:
- Ryan BARROWMAN - Scottish Greens
- Sinclair COGHILL - Independent
- Richard James CROSS - Independent
- John EDMONDSON - Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Brideen GODLEY-MACKENZIE - Independent
- Kim HANNING JACKSON - Reform UK
- Roland HANNING JACKSON - Reform UK
- Odette MACDONALD - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Tina MCCAFFERY - Independent
- Innes MUNRO - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- Michael PERERA - Scottish Labour Party
- Martin RATTRAY - Independent
The candidates standing for Ward 14 are:
- Andrew BARNETT - Scottish Greens
- Michael GREGSON - Scottish Labour Party
- Chris LEWCOCK - Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Martin MACGREGOR - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Donald MACKENZIE - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- Iain RICHMOND - Reform UK
Full details on these by-elections can be found by visiting https://www.highland.gov.uk/byelection