Accessible Voting at the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election – Support Available for Voters
23rd April 2026
As the Scottish Parliament Election approaches on Thursday 7 May 2026, we are ensuring that voting is accessible to voters. Polling stations across the Highlands will be open from 7am to 10pm.
“We are committed to ensuring the democratic process is accessible to all electors across the Highlands,” said Returning Officer, Derek Brown. “By introducing new assistive measures and ensuring polling places are equipped to meet diverse needs, our goal is to ensure voters can cast their ballot independently, secretly, and with confidence.”
To support disabled voters, polling stations will feature a wide range of physical adjustments and assistive measures, including disabled parking, ramps, wheelchair-accessible booths position for optimal lighting, and seating for individuals who are unable to stand for long periods.
Voters will have access to a variety of assistive aids, including pencil grips, large print copies of the ballot paper, large magnifiers, and tactile voting devices featuring raised numbers and braille. Polling places will also introduce a new ballot paper overlay linked to an audio recording. When using the overlay and listening to the audio file, it will allow blind and partially sighted voters to cast their vote independently and in secret.
Voters are also welcome to use their own assistive aids, such as mobile phone apps and video magnifiers, inside the polling booth to cast their vote. Alternatively, a disabled voter may be assisted by a companion such as a close relative aged 16 or older, or another eligible elector. Polling Place staff are available and will ensure that an elector is given appropriate assistance in order to be able to cast their vote.
Voters can appoint a trusted person to vote on their behalf. Proxy applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. In the event of an emergency that prevents a voter from attending the polling place, an emergency proxy can be requested until 5pm on polling day.
Full details are on the Council’s website
https://www.highland.gov.uk/elections-voting/scottish-parliamentary-elections/7
A variety of accessible materials, including easy-read guides and British Sign Language (BSL) videos, are available to help voters understand their rights and the voting process. BSL users can contact officials via the national video interpreting relay service, Contact Scotland BSL, which is available 24/7.
See https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/democratic-engagement-resources/download-your-may-2026-voting-guide
For more information, to check your polling place, or to request application forms for proxy voting, please visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voter or call the Electoral Commission helpline on 0800 4 280 280.
Voting Guide in other languages
A guide to voting in the Scottish Parliament Election is available in the following languages: