Ways to vote

Vote in person, by post or by proxy

Most people choose to vote in person on the day of the election at their polling station.

If you can't vote in person, visit Absent voting - voting by post or proxy on the Lothian Valuation Joint Board website to apply for:

• A postal vote. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April for the Scottish Parliament Election on Thursday 7 May.
• Someone to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the Scottish Parliament Election is 5pm on. Tuesday 28 April. If you miss the deadline, for instance due to a medical emergency or you have been called away at short notice by work, you can contact the Electoral Registration Office to see if you can get an emergency proxy vote. You have until 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote.

You can now apply on the GOV.UK website for a postal vote for UK Westminster General Elections.

Voter ID

In the UK you are legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at some elections, including UK General Elections but not the Scottish Parliament Election. You can check which elections require photo ID and which forms of ID are accepted on the Electoral Commission website or watch the video below.

• Easy to read version of how to vote and voter ID
• Braille version of how to vote and voter ID leaflet

If you do not have ID

If you do not have any of the forms of ID accepted, you can still vote. You must be registered and you can apply for free voter ID. Find out more on the Electoral Commission website or watch the video below.