Monday March 16th 2026
Returning officer for Scottish Borders Council, David Robertson
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Scottish Borders Council’s returning officer has urged voters not to lose out on having their say at the Scottish Parliament elections.
Anyone who wants to vote in the poll on Thursday, May 7, must make sure they are registered in time.
Research shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 20. Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.
Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote. Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID to vote in this election.
David Robertson, returning officer for SBC, said: “Don’t lose your chance to have your say at the Scottish Parliament election in May. Scottish Parliament elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life in the Scottish Borders.
“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, you can contact your local electoral registration office by emailing Electoral.Registration@scotborders.gov.uk or phoning 01835 825100.”
Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament election on May 7.
“All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal or proxy vote. 16-17 year olds and New Scots living in Scotland are also eligible to vote at this election, and photo ID will not be required.
“If you’ve recently changed your name, address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way that’s right for you.”
Clear, trusted information about registering to vote and all your voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Following publication on Monday, March 16, of the notice of the Scottish Parliamentary election in the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire constituencies and Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituencies, nominations for candidates are open until 4pm on Wednesday April 1.
Nomination forms and further information is available online from http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections-voting/elections.
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