Council initiates emergency facility for lost and delayed postal votes

The City of Edinburgh Council is taking urgent steps to ensure all residents can cast their vote in next Thursday’s UK Parliament General Election.

From today, (28 June), and over the weekend, voters who have yet to receive their postal votes, and will not be at home next week, can go to the City Chambers and have their voting pack re-issued. A polling booth will be set up for those wishing to cast their vote there and then in privacy.

The facility will be open until 5pm today and then from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and Sunday. Voters should come to the City Chambers on the High Street, with photo ID, and a replacement pack can be issued. 

The distribution of postal votes nationally has been hit by delays, but the Royal Mail has confirmed that all packs should be delivered today or tomorrow.

We’re prioritising those who will not be at home next week. If you will be at home next week, please be wait for delivery and only contact us early next week if you are still without your pack.

Please contact elections@edinburgh.gov.uk in the first instance or call the helpline on 0131 200 2315. As above we will be open for re-issues Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm and into next week if necessary. 

We’ll be putting extra resources into our Customer Team over the weekend to deal with these enquiries.

We’re encouraging everyone else to make their way on foot or by public transport, but Blue Badge holders will be able to park in the City Chambers quadrangle this weekend.

Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “I appreciate the concerns of voters on this issue and my absolute priority is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote in this General Election.

“That’s why we’ve taken the decision to put in extra resources and open the City Chambers this weekend. Please only attend if you haven’t received your postal vote and you’re going on holiday or won’t be at home next week.

“I’d encourage anyone who has already received their postal vote to return it as soon as possible, through Royal Mail.

“The timing of this election has been challenging as have other circumstances beyond our control, but our teams are working hard to ensure it passes off as smoothly and successfully as possible.”