Still time to apply to vote in Highland Council By-elections
Issued on behalf of The Returning Officer
Polling will take place on Thursday 19 June 2025 to elect one of 9 candidates standing in The Highland Council's Cromarty Firth Ward by-election and one of 8 candidates for Ward 10 - Eilean a' Cheò. Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
The Cromarty Firth Ward is a 4-member Ward. With the resignation of Maxine Smith there is one vacancy for Ward 6. The other Ward members are Sinclair Coghill, Tamala Collier and John Edmondson.
Ward 10 - Eilean a' Cheò is also a 4-member ward. Following the resignation of Calum Munro there is one vacancy to be filled. The other Ward members are John Finlayson, Drew Miller, and Ruraidh Stewart.
Anyone aged over 16 who is living in the designated wards are eligible to vote if they are registered. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 3 June 2025. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper application form.
Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or appoint a proxy which is requesting someone to vote on their behalf. Photographic ID is not required for people voting at polling stations for this election as it only applies to UK Parliamentary elections.
The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk
Those intending to vote are reminded that 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.
The candidates standing for Ward 6 are:
- CHISHOLM, Steve - Alba Party for independence
- COSTIGANE, Ross - Scottish Liberal Democrats
- CROSS, Richard James - Independent
- FORBES, Ryan - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- MACDONALD, Allan - Reform UK
- MACDONALD, Odette - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- PERERA, Michael Robert - Scottish Labour Party
- RATTRAY, Martin - Independent
- THOMAS, Anne - Scottish Greens
The candidates standing for Ward 10 are:
- COUPLAND, John - Reform UK
- DICKSON, Campbell - Independent
- GILLIES, Christine - Independent
- LAWRENCE, Katy - Scottish Greens
- MAC A’ BHÀILLIDH, Màrtainn - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- MACDONALD, Jonathan - Independent
- MACPHERSON, George - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- THOMSON, Fay - Scottish Liberal Democrats
Full details on these by-elections can be found on our website
ENDS