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

2nd September 2026

Photograph of 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.

The candidates standing are:

BUCHANAN, Dave – Independent
CALDER, Julie – Scottish Liberal Democrats
GLEN, John – Scottish National Party (SNP)
GIBSON, Charlotte – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
RICHMOND, Iain – Reform UK

The Notice of Poll and the Statement of Persons nominated are available on the Council’s website – highland.gov.uk/byelection

Voting will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 with the electronic count to be held the following day.

Ward 3 is a 4-member ward. The other members are Councillors Raymond Bremner, Andrew Jarvie, and Jan McEwan.

Everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should be able to participate in elections and cast their vote with confidence. We have made the voting process accessible for both postal voters and in person voters and have put in place various measures including reasonable adjustments for anyone with a disability.

Anyone over 16 years old who is living in the Ward is eligible to take part in this by-election if they are registered to vote. To register to vote visit gov.uk/register-to-vote or alternatively phone the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 for assistance. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Voters in the Wick and East Caithness Ward will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their local polling station, or they can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. Some voters may find it more convenient to use a postal vote rather than travelling to a polling station.

The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy, which is someone to vote on their behalf, is 5pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by phoning the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk

 

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