Arguably, the easiest way to vote is the postal vote. This means that you can avoid waiting in long queues at your local polling station by voting from home. All you need to do is register for a postal vote and walk to a post box with your completed voting forms before the deadline.
The upcoming Scottish parliament election is on May 7, 2026. The deadline to apply for a postal application is April 21, 2026, at 5pm.
Your postal vote must arrive by 10pm on polling day to be counted. Royal mail have said: “Your vote matters. If you are voting by post, please vote as early as possible to ensure it reaches the Returning Officer in time.”
This is your official sign to register for a postal vote! Therefore, if you are a Scottish student, follow this easy guide with links to everything that you need.
What Kind of Election is it?
You can use this link to apply online for a postal vote for UK Parliament elections.
But, to apply for a postal vote in Scottish Parliament and Scottish council elections, you must post a paper application. The steps below will explain this in more detail.
Furthermore, If you wish to apply for a postal vote for everything (UK Parliament elections and Scottish Parliament and council elections), download this paper application that encompasses everything.
Easy Steps to Register for your Postal Vote
- You must be registered to vote before applying for a postal vote. They will ask you for your national insurance number and date of birth. You must register to vote at the address you live at. If you live at two addresses because you are a student or have a second home, you can put your second address down as the location that your postal vote is sent to.
- Download the form: “Application to vote by post in Scotland.”
- Print the form off at home or by using your free University of Stirling printing credits.
- Complete the form in CAPITAL LETTERS.
- Post the completed form to your local electoral registration office. Enter your postcode to find yours.
Useful Information
For Scottish Parliament and council elections, you can choose to have a permanent postal vote. But the maximum period is three years for UK Parliament elections. Your local electoral registration office will confirm the duration of your postal vote. Then you must apply online again to renew your postal vote.
Find out more information about voting at Brig newspaper in the Guide for Young Voters in Stirling.
Fourth Year English and Journalism Student
