Postal and Proxy Voting in Scotland
From 3 November 2026, there will be changes to absent voting for Scottish Parliament and Local Council elections.
What is changing?
- Electors in Scotland will be able to apply online for a postal or proxy vote online from 3 November 2026.
- Electors will be required to verify their identity by providing their National Insurance Number or an explanation of why they cannot provide it when applying for an absent vote.
- Electors in Scotland will no longer have an indefinite postal vote, a maximum of 3 years (ending on the third 31 January following the date of application) will apply. Electors will be required to submit a new application if they wish to continue to vote by post after that date.
- Electors in Scotland with a postal vote will no longer be asked to refresh their signature every 5 years, instead they will be required to re-apply every 3 years (see point above).
- Electors with a proxy vote will still be required to confirm their continued eligibility every 3 years and refresh their signature every 5 years.
To enable these changes, the Electoral Registration Officer will be writing out to some electors to request them to complete a new application.
If you receive a letter, please complete and submit your new application before the deadline of 2 November 2026.
Postal Vote Re-application
The Electoral Registration Officer will contact any elector whose postal vote is due to expire on 31 January 2027, later this year to ask them to re-apply for their postal vote.
The Scottish Local Government elections are due to be held on Thursday 6 May 2027. Electors who do not re-apply for their postal vote by 31 January 2027, will only be able to vote in person at these elections.
Postal and proxy voting FAQs
Contact details
Electoral Registration Office (Fife)
Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT
Electoral Commission Helpline
