Armadale and Blackridge By-Election

A By-Election will be held to elect one councillor to West Lothian Council for the Armadale and Blackridge By-Election to be held on Thursday 22 August 2024. The  Notice of Election [111KB] contains more information and dates and deadlines.

Councillors are elected through a form of proportional representation. The results are not decided by "first past the post".

Because the voting system is different the way the ballot paper is marked is different too. Instead of one cross in one box voters should use a sequence of numbers, starting with 1, to put the candidates in their preferred order. There is no limit on the number of preferences - voters can choose to mark a preference for just one candidate, or all the candidates, or any number in between.

Anyone who is registered to vote in the Armadale &Blackridge ward in a Scottish local government election is able to cast their vote in this by election. That includes young people aged 16 and over on 22 August and some people in prison.

• You can vote via a postal vote.
• You can vote in person.
• You can have someone vote for you (by proxy).

No, photo ID is not required to vote in a local government election in Scotland. Voters will get a poll card in the post to tell them where to vote. They can bring that when they go to vote but it is not essential. The poll card will be the more traditional postcard-sized document.

The deadline for voter registration is midnight on 6 August 2024.

If you are not registered, it is now very easy to do so. You can register online (opens new window) or by calling 0131 344 2500 and the Electoral Registration Office will help with telephone registration. 

Alternatively, you can download a form from the Electoral Registration Office website (opens new window) and send it to their address: Lothian Valuation Joint Board, 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FL. Please allow sufficient time for mail to be delivered.

The deadline for applying to vote by post in this by-election is 5pm on 7 August

Please note that you cannot apply online for a postal vote for this by-election.   If you applied online for a postal vote for the recent UK General Election, you will not have a postal vote for the by-election.  You will need to download and complete a paper application form to apply for a postal vote for this by-election.  If you are unsure if you have a postal vote in place for the by-election you can check by calling the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. 

To apply for a postal vote for the by-election, download and complete an application form from the Electoral Registration Officer (opens new window) or by calling 0131  344 2500.  Completed application forms should be sent back to them at 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL.

Please allow sufficient time for mail to be delivered.  If you will be away from home before the election then there is a chance that your postal vote pack may not reach you in time for you to use it. Once your postal vote application has been granted you may not be able to change back or appoint a proxy.

You can hand in your completed postal vote at any time at the Civic Centre, or on polling day at any polling station. There is no form to complete if you do that.

By law, it is not currently possible to hold elections by postal vote only.

A proxy vote allows a nominated person to cast your vote on your behalf either in person or by post in specified circumstances.

Changes to existing proxy vote details must be made by 5pm on 7 August.

Applications for new proxy votes (except for emergencies) must be made by 5pm on 14 August.

Applications for emergency proxy votes can be made until 5pm on polling day (22 August 2024). The grounds for issuing an emergency proxy vote are limited. Applications must be made to the Electoral Registration Officer at Lothian Valuation Joint Board (opens new window) or by sending complete applications to 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL or calling 0131 344 2500.

A full list of polling stations [57KB] has been published on the West Lothian Council website ahead of the By-Election.

Polling stations meet required standards to let disabled voters access them. Arrangements are also in place, and staff are trained, to enable disabled voters mark their ballot papers.

The poll will be open on Thursday 22 August from 7am and will close at 10pm. You will not be turned away at 10pm if you are already in a queue to vote.

The votes will be counted on Friday 23 August and the result will be declared as soon as the count is completed. Ballot papers are scanned and are counted electronically.

A full list of candidates [46KB]  has been published on the West Lothian Council website. Candidates and their Election Agents are responsible for letting you know about their policies and political views. They are also responsible for the conduct of their campaigners.