2021 By-Election - Midlothian East
2021 - By-Election - Midlothian East
A by-election took place on Thursday 25 March in Ward 5 – Midlothian East – following the resignation of Councillor Kenneth Baird.
The by-election for Ward 5 - Midlothian East was held on Thursday 25 March 2021.
The candidate elected to serve as a councillor for this ward is Stuart McKenzie, Scottish National Party.
- The percentage poll was 35.8% There were 4,347 valid ballot papers and 21 rejected ballot papers.
- The quota of votes for a candidate to be elected is 2,174
- The first preference votes received by each of the candidates was:
| Candidate name | Party | Number of 1st preference votes |
| Margaret Louise Davis | Scottish Liberal Democrats | 178 |
| Hazel Flanagan | Scottish Labour Party | 1,070 |
| Joy Hannah Godfrey | Scottish Green Party | 282 |
| Stuart McKenzie | Scottish National Party (SNP) | 1,538 |
| Alan Symon | Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party | 1,279 |
After application of the election rules the candidate elected as the councillor for Ward 5 Midlothian East is:
| Candidate name | Party | Stage at which candidate was elected |
| Stuart McKenzie | Scottish National Party | 4 |
Midlothian East by-election Stage 2
The first excluded candidate was Margaret Louise Davis with 178 first preference votes, which have been allocated as follows:
- Hazel Flanagan, Scottish Labour Party, 44 reallocated, total votes: 1,114
- Joy Hannah Godfrey, Scottish Green Party, 50 reallocated, total votes: 332
- Stuart McKenzie, Scottish National Party (SNP), 9 reallocated, total votes: 1,547
- Alan Symon Scottish Conservative and Unionist, 47 reallocated, total vote: 1,326
28 votes were non transferable.
As no candidate has attained the quota of 2,174 the count has now proceeded to Stage 3.
The candidate with the lowest number of votes Joy Hannah Godfrey will now therefore be excluded and her votes transferred to the remaining candidates in accordance with the voters’ next preferences.
Midlothian East by-election Stage 3
The second excluded candidate was Joy Hannah Godfrey with 332 votes, which have been allocated as follows:
- Hazel Flanagan, Scottish Labour Party, 108 transferable votes and total votes: 1,222
- Stuart McKenzie, Scottish National Party (SNP) 115 transferable votes and total votes: 1,662
- Alan Symon, Scottish Conservative and Unionist, 38 transferable votes and total votes: 1,364
71 votes were non transferable (total non transferable votes 99).
As no candidate has attained the quota of 2,174 the count has now proceeded to Stage 4.
The candidate with the lowest number of votes, Hazel Flanagan will now therefore be excluded and her votes transferred to the remaining candidates in accordance with the voters’ next preferences.
Midlothian East by-election Stage 4
The third excluded candidate was Hazel Flanagan with 1,222 votes, which have been allocated as follows:
- Stuart McKenzie, Scottish National Party (SNP) 301 transferable votes and total votes: 1,963
- Alan Symon, Scottish Conservative and Unionist, 292 transferable votes and total votes: 1,656
629 votes were non transferable (total non transferable votes 728).
As Stuart McKenzie has attained the highest number of votes between the two remaining candidates Stuart McKenzie is duly elected to serve as a Member for the No 5 – Midlothian East Ward of Midlothian Council.