Increased Interest In Postal Voting

25th April 2010

The number of people in the Highlands seeking to vote by post at the General Election has increased again.

Across the three parliamentary constituencies, 21,908 voters have registered their interest in voting by post, 9,734 more than at the General Election in May 2005, and 16,224 more than in June 2001.

The breakdown of postal vote applications is:
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (total electorate, 47,257) : 5,497;
Ross, Skye and Lochaber (51,836) : 6,094;
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (72,528): 10,317.

Postal ballot papers should start arriving on doorsteps from Tuesday 27 April and voters are urged to return them as quickly as they can.

If postal voting papers have not arrived by Friday 30 April, voters are asked to contact the election helpline 0845 603 5528. If a voter loses or accidentally spoils their postal ballot paper, they should call the election helpline as soon as possible. Replacement ballot papers can only be issued from Friday 30 April.

Those voting by post must sign (or mark) the postal voting statement and provide their date of birth. This is a security measure. Without signature and date of birth, the statement will not be valid and the vote will not be counted. The Returning Officer can cross check your signature against other records that he holds.

The Returning Officer must receive postal votes by 10 pm on Thursday 6 May. Should they so wish, postal voters can choose to deliver their completed voting papers to any polling stations in the constituency up until this time. Polling at 294 polling stations across the Highlands will take place on Thursday 6 May between 7 am - 10 pm.

The counts at the three constituencies will begin soon after the polls close and will take place overnight at the Assembly Rooms, Wick; Dingwall Leisure Centre and Inverness Leisure.

The increase in the number of postal votes to be verified and counted could lengthen the counts but the results are still expected to be declared overnight.

Nominations for Highland Consituencies
A total of 21 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 6 May in the three Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies.

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Constituency has attracted five candidates; Ross Skye and Lochaber Constituency, seven candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency, nine candidates.

Voting takes place between 7.00 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday 6 May at 294 polling stations (76 in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; 115 in Ross Skye and Lochaber; and 103 in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey).

The count will take place overnight, starting as soon after 10 pm as possible at the following venues: Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross - The Assembly Rooms, Wick; Ross Skye and Lochaber - Dingwall Leisure Centre; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey - Inverness Leisure Centre.

The Returning officer for the three constituencies is Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council.

Further information on the election and previous election results are available via the home page of The Highland Council's web site: www.highland.gov.uk

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Constituency

CAMPBELL, Gordon
9 Poles Road, Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3HP
Independent

GRAHAM, Alastair
Westlea, Sutherland Street, Helmsdale KW8 6LQ
Scottish Conservative & Unionist

MACKAY, John
Bellmaya, Dunnet, Thurso KW14 8YD
Scottish Labour Party

THURSO, John Archibald
Thurso East Mains, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8HW
Scottish Liberal Democrats

URQUHART, Jean
4 West Lane, Ullapool IV26 2UT
Scottish National Party (SNP)


Ross, Skye and Lochaber Constituency

ANDERSON, Philip Andrew
Broomhill Farm, Fortrose, Ross-shire, IV10 8SH
UK Independence Party

CAMERON, Donald Andrew John
Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire PH34 4EJ
Scottish Conservatives

CAMPBELL, Ronnie
5 Bohuntin, Roy Bridge, Lochaber, PH31 4AH
Independent

KENNEDY, Charles Peter
Caberfeidh, Lochyside, Fort William, PH33 7NX
Scottish Liberal Democrats

MCKENDRICK, John Dempster
Address in the Glasgow Central Constituency
Scottish Labour Party

SCOTT, Eleanor Roberta
Tir Nan Oran, 8 Culcairn Road, Evanton IV16 9YT
Scottish Green Party

STEPHEN, Alasdair MacGregor
Larach Na H-Iodhlainn, Ferrindonald, Sleat, Skye IV44 8RF
Scottish National Party (SNP)


Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey

ALEXANDER, Danny
15 Mitchell Road, Aviemore PH22 1SH
Scottish Liberal Democrats

BOYD, Dr Donald Macleod
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
Scottish Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"

DURANCE, Ross Scott
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
UK Independence Party

FERGUSON, Jim
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
Scottish Conservative and Unionist

FINNIE, John
29 Bellfield Park, Inverness IV2 4TA
Scottish National Party (SNP)

FRASER, Kit
Annahill, Kirkhill, Inverness IV5 7PL
The Joy of Talk

MACDONALD, George
8 Maxwell Drive, Inverness IV3 5EX
Solidarity - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

MACLEOD, Donnie
Kylerona Farm, Ardersier, Inverness, IV2 7QZ
Scottish Green Party

ROBB, Mike
4 Duddingston Park, Edinburgh EH15 1JN
Scottish Labour Party

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Today : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.