Ways to vote

There are several ways to vote in Orkney elections. Plan ahead to make sure you choose the method that works best for you.

Vote in person at a polling station

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day. You will receive a poll card telling you where your polling station is, note that it may not be the same place you voted last time.

You can find your polling station and check the candidates by entering your postcode on the Electoral Commission website

Getting help at the polling station

If you need help voting, you can bring a companion with you, or ask a member of polling staff to assist you. Your companion must be a member of your immediate family over 18 years old, or a 'qualified elector' (someone legally able to vote).

The person helping you can guide you around the polling station and mark the ballot paper for you if you ask them to.

Vote by post

You can apply for a postal vote if you'd prefer not to go to a polling station. You'll need to apply before the deadline set for each election. Download the application form from Orkney and Shetland Joint Valuation Board or from the Electoral Registration Office.

You'll need to provide a signature when you apply and when you return your ballot paper, so you can be identified. If you're unable to provide a signature, or a consistent signature, you can ask for this requirement to be waived, contact the Electoral Registration Office for details.

Your ballot papers will be posted to you. Make sure to post them back with enough time for them to arrive by 10pm on polling day.

Vote by proxy

You can appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf. Your proxy can either vote in person at a polling station or by post.

To apply, download the application form from www.orkney-shetland-vjb.co.uk or request one from the Electoral Registration Office.

You'll need to apply before the deadline set for each election. In certain circumstances, if an emergency prevents you from voting (for example, having to self-isolate), you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day.

Accessibility at polling stations

Large print ballot papers

Every polling station must display a large print copy of the ballot paper for you to refer to, and you can take a copy into the booth with you. You'll use the large print copy to read the information, then mark your vote on the standard ballot paper.

Tactile voting device

If you have sight loss or difficulty reading the standard print ballot paper, you can use a tactile voting device. This attaches to your ballot paper and has numbered, raised flaps with braille numbers directly over the voting boxes.

Ask polling staff to attach the tactile device to your ballot paper. You can use a large print copy or ask staff to read out the candidate list to you. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

To vote, lift the flap with the number of your chosen candidate and mark your number in the box. The tactile device is sanitised after each use.

Using assistive technology

You can bring your phone or other assistive technology into the polling booth to help you vote, for example, to use magnifier apps, text-to-speech apps, or to improve lighting. You can also use the Electoral Commission's postcode checker to confirm candidate information.

Information for registered voters with sight loss

If you have sight loss, here's what you need to know about voting:

Registering to vote

If you have sight loss, you may prefer to receive information about registering and voting in a format that suits you. Contact the Electoral Commission for information in large print, braille or audio format:

Telephone: 0800 3 280 280

You can also register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Planning your vote

Start planning which voting method to use early on. Think about whether you'd like to vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by appointing a proxy. When an election is announced, we'll publish the deadlines for each voting method.

Help at the polling station

If you're voting in person, you can bring a companion to help you navigate the polling station and the voting process. Your companion needs to be a member of your immediate family over 18 years old, or a qualified elector.

Alternatively, ask polling staff to help you. They can guide you between the entrance, desk, polling booth and ballot box, and can mark your ballot paper for you if you ask.

Taking your phone into the booth

You're allowed to use your phone or other assistive technology in the polling booth to help you vote, for example, magnifier apps, text-to-speech, or to improve lighting. You can also use the Electoral Commission's postcode checker to confirm the order of candidates.

Need more help?

If you need any accessibility support at a polling station, contact the Electoral Registration Office: