Local Government Elections

Local Government By-election

The Highland Council is divided into 21 Wards and elections are administered, centrally, through the Election Office.

A by-election can occur due to a vacancy, for example death or resignation of an elected representative. It can take place during any of the ordinary local government electoral cycles, and is subject to the same statutory timetable.

Election of Councillors for Ward 6 - Cromarty Firth and Ward 14 - Inverness Central

Local Government By-Elections will be held on Thursday 26 September 2024 to fill vacancies that has arisen in Wards 6 and 14 following the resignation of Councillors.

Following the deadline for nominations at 4pm on Monday 26 August 2024, the candidates for Ward 6 Cromarty Firth are as follows.

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

There are two vacancies for Ward 6 (Cromarty Firth) to be filled.

The candidates for Ward 14 (Inverness Central) are as follows.

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

There is one vacancy for Ward 14 (Inverness Central) to be filled.

The Notice of Poll, key information and statutory notices relating to the forthcoming by-election:

How to vote

Voting at the designated polling stations will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 26 September 2024. Poll cards will be posted out and these should be checked carefully as details of where voters should go to cast their vote in person will be provided. To find where to vote please click here

To vote in this by-election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 10 September 2024. Information about how to register and the different ways of voting in the election ie arranging for a postal or proxy voting, please go to our How to Vote page.

The deadline for applying to vote by post is 5pm on Wednesday, 11 September 2024 and postal packs will be dispatched thereafter on Friday, 13 September 2024.

The deadline for appointing a proxy (someone to vote on your behalf) is 5pm on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.

For more advice on registration, postal or proxy voting please email ero@highland.gov.uk or call 0800 393783.

The Councillor is elected through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system which allows voters to express a preference for more than one candidate - see video below:

Key Dates to Remember

Tuesday 10 September 2024 (midnight) - Registration deadline
Wednesday 11 September 2024 (5pm) - Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes
Friday 13 September 2024 – Postal Packs to be dispatched
Wednesday 18 September 2024 (5pm) - Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)
Thursday 26 September 2024 (7am - 10pm) - Polling Day
Thursday 26 September 2024 (5pm) - Deadline for emergency proxy applications
Thursday 26 September 2024 (9pm) - Last time to alter the Register due to clerical error or court appeal
Thursday 26 September 2024 (10pm) - Last time for re-issue of spoilt or lost postal votes
Friday 27 September 2024 (am) - Electronic Counting of votes

Further information on What Voters need to know prior to Polling Day.

Notices

Pre-election Guidance and Poster Policy

Candidate Spending Returns and Declarations

Notice is hereby given below on the inspection of the returns of election spending, declarations and accompanying documents of Candidates at Highland Council By-Elections that have been previously held.