Highland Council By-election - Voters urged to make sure their vote counts

Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer

Polling will take place on Thursday 2 December 2021 to elect one of seven candidates standing in The Highland Council's Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward and the Council is reminding voters to make sure they are ready to make their vote count.

The single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.

Postal packs have been despatched to those registered electors that submitted a form by the postal vote deadline.  Further guidance on how to complete your postal pack is available here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvW98qLSWA

Anyone who has requested a postal vote will not be able to vote in person at a polling station. However, it is possible to hand your complete postal pack into a polling station within the ward between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 2 December 2021 if you are unable to post it in time.

For those opting to vote in person on Thursday 2 December, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. People are reminded to check their poll cards as this will have details of where they need to go to cast their vote.

The Returning Officer did not receive any withdrawals within the statutory deadline of 4pm on Friday 29 October 2021. The confirmed seven candidates standing for election for Ward 21 – Fort William and Ardnamurchan are:

•         Mark DRAYTON

•         Sarah FANET - Scottish National Party (SNP)

•         Roger LILEY - Scottish Liberal Democrats

•         Joanne MATHESON - Independent

•         Andy MCKENNA - Independent

•         Ruraidh STEWART - Scottish Conservative and Unionist

•         Kate WILLIS - Scottish Green Party

The election count will take place in Lochaber High School, Fort William on Friday 3 December 2021 starting at 2pm. People will be able to follow the count and watch the declaration of the results live via the Council’s social media channels - @highlandcouncil

All information about the by-election, including answers to frequently asked questions and short video clips to show how to vote is available by visiting the Council’s website   www.highland.gov.uk/byelection