On 7th May, 2026 Scotland will go to the polls to elect 129 MSPs, 73 of which are constituency members elected using the first past the post system. The remaining 66 are regional members who are elected using the party list system.
The Chief Executive of Dundee City Council is the Returning Officer for Dundee City East and Dundee City West constituencies.
Polling takes place between 7.00am and 10.00pm and the constituency results are expected to be announced on Friday 8th May, 2026.
Maps showing the Polling Stations within the two constituencies are available in the Polling Stations section.
To vote you simply place a cross (X) against the candidate of your choice on the constituency (lilac) ballot paper and a cross (X) against your party or individual candidate of choice on the regional list (peach) ballot paper.
Statistical information on the Electorate and Postal Voting details to follow.
- How to Register to Vote
If you are already registered to vote you do not need to do anything.
If you are not registered to vote you must register by no later than Monday 20 April 2026.
The way you register to vote has changed. The new system is called Individual Electoral Registration.
You can now register to vote online.
You will need to provide more details to register, which will make the electoral register more secure. You will need your date of birth and your national insurance number to hand.
Previously, the head of the household was responsible for registering anyone who lived at the address. Now every individual is responsible for their own voter registration. The new system is also more secure because it asks for more details. This will make it more resistant to electoral fraud.
The Electoral Register is updated and re-published following the canvass each year, normally at 1 December. It is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament, UK Parliament (Westminster), local elections to appoint Councillors, at national referendums and in the election of Community Councils.
Not everyone who name appears in the Register has the right to vote at all elections or referenda.
If you are in the British Forces, living overseas, a student, have no fixed home or are unsure of your eligibility visit the About My Vote website for more information on registering.
Postal or Proxy Voting
If you are on the register and would prefer to vote by post or appoint a proxy, simple complete a form and post it to the Electoral Registration Office at 21 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY
Regulations require us to collect personal identifier information - your signature and date of birth. This is held securely and will be used at election times to compare against the signature and date of birth which has to be provided on a security statement returned with postal votes.
Forms must be signed and can be scanned and emailed to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk or posted back to Electoral Registration Office, 21 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.
- Where to Vote
You can only vote at the polling station which has your name on their register. Details of which polling station you should use will be displayed on your poll card.
Poll cards are likely to be issued mid March 2026.
If you aren't sure exactly which polling station you should use, or where it is located, find out by using the Find Your Polling Station tool
Please ensure you check the poll card sent to you for details of where you should go to vote in person.- Election Contact Details
General enquiries should be directed to:
Electoral Registration and Elections Office
Email: ero@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No: 01382 434444Returning Officer:
Gregory Colgan, Chief Executive
Email: chief.exec@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No: 01382 434431Media Contact:
Katie Alexander
Email: katie.alexander@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No: 01382 433620Electoral Queries
Email: ero@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel No: 01382 434444- Election Useful Links
You can find more information on elections and voting on the following website. Dundee City Council has no responsibility for the content of external sites.
- How to Vote
Can you vote? ... not everyone can ...
You have to be 16 or over and
- a British citizen
- an Irish citizen
- a citizen of another country living in Scotland who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
Polling Cards
If your name is on the register of electors and you are aged 16 or over, you will, unless you are further included in the absent voters list, get a polling card around mid March. This will tell you where your Polling Station is and when it is open. The card is for information only. Don't worry if you lose it or forget it - you can still vote without it. It just makes it easier if you take it to the Polling Station and show it to the clerk.
If you don't receive a polling card, this could mean that you are registered at an old address or are not included on the register. You should call the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) on 01382 434444.
Voting in Person
To vote in person you should go to the Polling Station listed on your Polling Card. The clerk will give you two ballot papers - one for the constituency MSP (lilac) and one for the regional list (peach). You vote by putting a cross on each paper next to the candidate or party of your choice.
Voting by Post
Anyone can apply - go to the 'How to Register' section for information. When you have been granted a postal vote your Ballot Papers will then be sent to you by post, prior to the election. Complete the papers and return them as directed. You will also be sent a postal vote poll card confirming that you have a postal vote nearer this time.
Please apply for a postal vote as soon as possible. The last day for receipt of applications by the ERO for election is Tuesday 21st April, 2026.
Download a form or call 01382 434444 to arrange for a form to be sent out.
Voting by Proxy
Go to the 'How to Register' section for information. If granted this means that you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you either in person at the polling station, or if they have applied to be your Postal proxy, by post.
The last day to appoint a proxy in time for the election on 6th May is Tuesday 28th April, 2026. Forms need to be with the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm. Download a form.
You can either scan and email the completed form to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk or you can post it back to ERO, 8 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.
Contact Details
If you have any questions on whether you are registered to vote, postal votes or proxy votes please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01382 434444.
- Information for Candidates and Agents
Guidance for Candidates and Agents
Security and Guidance for Candidates and Agents
All candidates can access the Election Security Guidance page on gov.uk. This brings together expertise from across the security community to help candidates implement quick and effective personal security measures.
More information is available on the NPSA Defending Democracy page including a security video published by HMG.
Each police force has a designated Single Point of Contact (SPoC) for candidate safety, who will reach out to you following the close of nominations to introduce themselves, explain their role, and offer a security briefing.
We encourage you to review these materials to safeguard your personal safety during the election process.
- Notices
Information to appear here.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The electoral register is the list of everyone who is registered to vote. You must be on the register to vote at elections. You are not automatically registered, even if you pay Council Tax. You can register to vote at any time, but if you are not already registered you must register to vote by 20th April for the elections on 7th May, 2026.
Who can register to vote?
- Anyone 16 or over
- British, Irish, or a citizen of another country living in Scotland who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or does not need permission.
Am I registered to vote? Can I check online?
There is no online facility. To find out if you are registered to vote in Dundee call the Elections Hotline, Tel 01382 434444 or send an email to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk
How do I register to vote?
If you are not registered or if you have recently moved house you can make an application to register.
The 'How to Register' section has full details on how to register.
I know I am registered but will not be here on polling day. What can I do?
You may be eligible to apply for a proxy vote or appoint a proxy. For details visit the 'How to Register' section.
I have recently changed my name. What do I do?
You need to go online to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to change it.
When are the postal votes being issues?
Details still to be confirmed.