A Cyrenians Guide to Voting

The next Scottish Parliament election is on the 7th of May 2026. The voices of people who have experienced homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness often go unheard. Voting is one way to change that. For those who have never voted before, or need a refresher on how to register, please read on. 

We would love to encourage everyone who uses Cyrenians services to exercise their democratic right to vote. The people who run our country ultimately have the power to end poverty and housing insecurity for good, so it’s important we all play a part in choosing who will take on that responsibility. You are eligible to vote if: 

• You are aged 16 or over.
• You’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen.
• You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. 

How to Register to Vote 

The deadline to register to vote is the 20th of April. 

You can register online here. Unfortunately, postal registration has closed.  

You will need your: 

Current Address 

This can be your Cyrenians accommodation, temporary accommodation, or the address of a friend or family member where you spend most your time.  

Previous Address 

If you’ve moved in the last 12 months, you will also need to list your last address. This can be a previous house, temporary accommodation or place where you were previously registered to vote. If you moved a lot, write down the place where you spent the most time, or place where you were previously registered to vote.  

National Insurance Number 

You will be able to find this on payslips, benefits letters from Social Security Scotland, via your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app. 

Once you’re registered you might want to consider 

Do you want to be on the Open Register?  

This would mean your information is available for people to buy, who may then try and sell you products and services. It is also important to note that anyone can access this information - which includes your address. If it is important that that is kept private, please check the box which says you do not want to appear on the open register.  

Do you want to vote in person or by proxy? 

In person  

You will need to go to your local polling station on the 7th of May (election day) with your polling card. Your polling card will be sent to you before election and will tell you the address of your polling station – you can also check where your polling station is here.  You will need to bring your polling card with you on the day. You do not need ID. 

By proxy 

If you feel anxious about voting in person – or might find it hard to travel to the polling station that day - you can get someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy). It is crucial that you choose someone you trust. They will ask you for your National Insurance number (see above) the address and the contact details of the person voting on your behalf.  

How to Decide who to Vote For 

The political parties you can vote for in Scotland include Alba, Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Reform, and SNP. It is important to remember that in this election you are voting to decide the next Scottish Government. Some issues – for example, immigration – are the responsibility of Westminster and are not the responsibility of MSPs. 

Unsure who to vote for? When deciding which political party/candidate to vote for, ask yourself these questions: 

• What issues mean the most to me? (For example, climate change, housing or the cost of living)
• What do I want to cha.nge in my community? 
• Who are my local political candidates? 
• What are those candidates promising to do if they get elected?
• Which candidate best reflects and addresses my concerns?
• Do they cite their sources?
• Does their information come from a reputable study?
• Look up the manifestos of each political party and ask: do these promises align with my concerns? 

If you have any further questions/concerns, please email press@cyrenians.scot and we will be happy to help you.