Voting Methods

You can chose to vote by person, by post or by proxy. When you register to vote your voting method will automatically default to voting in person until you apply to vote by post or by proxy, see below.

Voting in Person

When you vote in person, you go to the polling place allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling place is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling place, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling place will be on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day.

If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID then make sure you have an accepted form of photo ID or your Voter Authority Certificate with you before you go to the polling place.

Voting by Post

You can apply for a postal vote if you know that you won't be able to get to the polling station on polling day, You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

There are changes to voting by post. The changes apply to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions.

The changes do not apply to Scottish Parliament or council elections in Scotland.

You now need to make separate applications to vote by post for UK Parliament elections (general elections) and Scottish elections (Scottish Parliament and local council elections).

Apply for a Postal Vote

For a UK Parliament election the quickest way to apply is online https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

For Scottish elections you must complete a paper application form which you can download here.

If you can't apply online for a postal vote for UK Parliament elections, you can download a paper application for both UK Parliament Elections and Scottish Parliament elections here.

Please read the guidance on the application form before submitting.

Completed paper applications can be scanned and emailed to voters.roll@fs.glasgow.gov.uk

If you are unable to sign the form or sign in a consistent way, print the application form or need it in an accessible format, please contact our office on 0141 287 4444.

More information on voting by post is available at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post

You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election. Find out more about how to vote by post https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/how-vote-post

Voting by Proxy

If you know that you won't be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote or can apply to vote on your behalf by post.

When completing the application, you need to give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person.

There are changes to voting by proxy. The changes apply to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions.

The changes do not apply to Scottish Parliament or council elections in Scotland.

Apply for a Proxy Vote

More information on voting by proxy is available at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/apply-vote-proxy