Avondale and Stonehouse Ward 5 by-election – Thursday 17 September 2026

A by‑election will take place in Ward 5 – Avondale and Stonehouse on Thursday 17 September 2026. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

The Ward is represented by three councillors and has an electorate of around 13,000 people, with approximately 2,000 registered postal voters.

This page explains how to vote, what to expect, and key deadlines so you do not miss your chance to have your say.

Register to vote

Registered voters’ poll cards will be sent out around mid‑August 2026. For those registered after this date, poll cards will be issued shortly after your registration is processed.

If you are already registered to vote and are on the electoral register for the Avondale and Stonehouse Ward in South Lanarkshire, you do not need to re‑register.

To vote in this by‑election:

• eligible voters must be aged 16 or over
• must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 1 September 2026
• you can register to vote online quickly and easily

How can I vote if I am on holiday?

If you are unable to attend your polling place on election day and are already a registered voter, you can apply for a postal vote.

Applications must be received by these deadlines:

• The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 2 September 2026

Alternatively, you can appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf (a proxy vote):

• The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026

Will I need photo ID to vote at the by-election?

No, you will not need ID to vote in the by-election.

How voting works

This by-election uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV) voting system. This means voters are asked to rank candidates in order of preference.

To vote for your chosen candidate, you will be issued with one white ballot paper.

How to complete your ballot paper

Instructions on the ballot paper will state:

• “You can make as many or as few choices as you wish.”
• “Put the number 1 in the box next to your first choice, 2 in the box next to your second choice, 3 in the box next to your third choice and so on.”

You do not have to rank all candidates, but you should put a number 1 next to your first preference for your vote to count.

Key dates

Keep these important deadlines in mind:

Where votes are counted

After polls close, we verify and count votes electronically, commencing at 10pm on Thursday 17 September 2026 in the Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA

Standing as a candidate

If you are interested in standing in the election, contact us for a nomination pack.

• Email: elections@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
• Phone: 01698 455745

You must submit your completed nomination papers by 4pm on Monday 17 August 2026. We accept nominations by appointment between 10am and 4pm at the Election office.

We will also hold a Nomination Awareness Session to provide prospective candidates and agents with additional information, and this will take place on Tuesday 04 August 2026 in Committee Room 2, Council Headquarters, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA and online via MS Teams.

If you are interested in attending, please email elections@southlanarkshire.gov.uk to request a meeting invitation.

Contact us

• Electoral Registration office (ERO) - for help with registering and postal or proxy voting
• Election office - for information about polling stations and election arrangements

Useful links

• Avondale and Stonehouse boundary map
• Improvement Service Guide – www.localcouncillor.scot
• Register to vote: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
• Electoral Commission: www.electoralcommission.org.uk
• Scottish Government: www.gov.scot