There’s still time to make your voice heard in next month’s Highland Council by-elections, with two local seats up for grabs and a strong line-up of candidates ready to represent their communities.
Polling takes place on Thursday 19 June in Ward 6, Cromarty Firth, and Ward 10, Eilean a’ Cheò.
Both wards normally have four councillors, but with the recent resignations of Maxine Smith and Calum Munro, one seat in each is now open.
Nine candidates are contesting the Cromarty Firth seat and eight are standing in Eilean a’ Cheò.
Voters have until midnight on Tuesday 3 June to register.
Anyone aged 16 or over who lives in either ward is eligible, but you must be registered in time.
Registering is quick and simple online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by calling 0800 393783 to request a paper form.
Once registered, you can vote in person at your local polling station, by post, or by proxy.
If you’d like to vote by post, your application must be in by 5pm on Wednesday 4 June.
If you want someone to vote on your behalf, the deadline for proxy applications is 5pm on Wednesday 11 June.
Photo ID is not required at polling stations for this election, as the rule only applies to UK parliamentary votes.
The by-elections will use the single transferable vote system, which means you rank the candidates by preference.
Put a 1 next to your first choice, a 2 beside your second, and continue as far as you like.
You can vote for just one or several, but avoid adding any other marks to your ballot.
Unclear markings could mean your vote won’t be counted.
Here’s who’s standing in each ward.
Cromarty Firth, Ward 6
Steve Chisholm – Alba Party for independence
Ross Costigane – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Richard James Cross – Independent
Ryan Forbes – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Allan Macdonald – Reform UK
Odette Macdonald – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Michael Robert Perera – Scottish Labour Party
Martin Rattray – Independent
Anne Thomas – Scottish Greens
Eilean a’ Cheò, Ward 10
John Coupland – Reform UK
Campbell Dickson – Independent
Christine Gillies – Independent
Katy Lawrence – Scottish Greens
Màrtainn Mac a’ Bhàillidh – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Jonathan Macdonald – Independent
George Macpherson – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Fay Thomson – Scottish Liberal Democrats
For full details on how and where to vote, visit the Highland Council website or contact the Electoral Registration Office.
Every vote will help shape the future of your community.
