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Scottish Parliament Election 2026

A Scottish Parliament Election is taking place on Thursday, 7th May 2026 to elect Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

Key dates

Deadlines for this election:

  • Register to vote: 11:59pm on 20th April 2026
  • Apply for a postal vote: 5pm on 21st April 2026
  • Apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on 28th April 2026

Poll cards and postal votes:

  • First issue of poll cards and letters handed to Royal Mail: between 17th and 18th March 2026
  • First issue of postal votes handed to Royal Mail: between 15th and 17th April 2026

Where and how to vote

When you vote, you will receive two ballot papers. One is for you to choose your constituency MSP. The other is for you to choose a political party (or independent candidate) for the North East Scotland Region.

The North East Scotland regional list is administered by Aberdeen City Council. Some areas of Aberdeenshire fall in constituencies administered by other councils.

For more details, such as election notices and where to vote, view:

Find out about:

Candidates

View candidates standing in this election for each constituency.

Aberdeenshire East:

  • John Crawley: Reform UK
  • David Ronald Evans: Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Janine Langler: Scottish Labour Party
  • Douglas Lumsden: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Gillian Anne Martin: Scottish National Party (SNP)

Aberdeenshire West:

  • Kate Blake: Scottish Labour Party
  • Alexander Burnett: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Jeff Goodhall: Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Jo Hart: Reform UK
  • Fatima Joji: Scottish National Party (SNP)

Banffshire and Buchan Coast:

  • Karen Adam: Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • James Adams: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • N D R McLennan: Independent
  • Brooke Ritchie: Scottish Labour Party
  • Conrad Strachan Ritchie: Reform UK
  • Leslie Tarr: Scottish Liberal Democrats

A briefing meeting for prospective candidates and election agents took place on 13th March 2026. View briefing notes for candidates and agents (PDF 294KB).

Support for voters

Our polling places will have equipment and support options available to support blind and visually impaired voters who wish to vote in person. Along these arrangements we also have ballot papers available in accessible formats.

There is also additional guidance available for:

If you would like to discuss available voting support, request a reasonable adjustment at a polling station, or for any other queries, please phone the Elections Office on 01467 539311.

Voting and election guidance form the Electoral Commission

View the Electoral Commission's voting and election guidance explaining what you need to know before the election and where you can find more information.

This guidance is also available in other formats: 

Election notices