Voting in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election

The Scottish Parliament election is on Thursday 7 May 2026. Voters will elect Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and determine which political party, or parties, form the next Scottish Government. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for devolved matters such as health and social services, including mental health. 

We believe everyone, including people living with mental health problems, should be able to able to access their right to vote and take part in the political process. We hope the information and key dates below help you understand your rights around voting in the upcoming election. 

We encourage you to take this opportunity to make your voice heard and vote in the election if you are eligible. You can check eligibility requirements.  

Key Deadlines 

See below for what some of these terms mean. 

Registering to vote

To vote in the election you must be registered on the Electoral Register. This can be done online or by post (an application form and instructions are available). You will be asked for your National Insurance number but it is not required. 

If you do not want your name or address to appear on the electoral register, you can apply to register to vote anonymously.  

How to vote

If you are registered to vote, you will be able to vote in a few ways: 

1. In person - at your polling station between 7am and 10pm on election day (Thursday 7 May). You will be sent a polling card in the weeks prior to the election with details of your polling station. Photographic ID is not required to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, and you don't need to bring your polling card (but people often do).  

2. By post - with a postal vote. Voting by post can be handy if you know you will not be able to get to the polling station on polling day. To do this, you must apply for a postal vote. You can choose if it’s just for this election or for all elections. 

3. By proxy - where someone you trust casts your vote on your behalf. If you are unable to vote in person (for example, if you’re a carer or have additional requirements that can make voting in person difficult, such as a mental illness), you can have someone else (called a “proxy”) vote on your behalf. To do this, you must apply for a proxy vote. 

You will need: 

• your National Insurance number or an identity document (for example a birth certificate) 
• the address where your proxy is registered to vote 
• contact details for your proxy. 

If you need more support or information on voting, we recommend that you contact the Electoral Commission, either online or by phone on 0333 103 1928.