A by-election is being held in the Portobello/Craigmillar ward on 3 September.
The position on the City of Edinburgh Council has been created by former Councillor Kate Campbell resigning on her election to The Scottish Parliament.
Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “With nominations now closed and just over a month to go until polling day, residents in these wards can start thinking about who they will vote for.
“Councillors play a key role in our democratic system, making crucial decisions that impact our city.
“I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to register to vote in plenty of time, and then make their voices heard in September.”
The candidates standing for election in the Portobello/Craigmillar ward are:
- David Craig Ballantine: ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM
- Niel Deepnarain: SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY – CHRISTIAN VALUES
- Pete Gregson: WORKERS PARTY OF BRITIAN
- Lorenzo Martinico: SCOTTISH GREENS
- Silas McGilvray: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)
- Andrew McLaughlin: REFORM UK
- Peter Olech: COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN
- Liss Owen: SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
- Jim Patrick Wyke: SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
- Haris Young: SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST
Poll cards will be delivered to registered voters in the area immediately with further information on when and where to vote.
If you live in the ward, the deadline to register to vote in the by-election is 18 August. For new postal vote applications, the deadline is 19 August and for new proxy votes the cut off date is 26 August. Find out more about registering to vote on the Council website.
The election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than using a single cross. Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they like.
Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 3 September.
Check your polling place as this may have changed since the last time you voted. If you bring your polling card to vote this will help the council staff and speed up the process, but it is not mandatory.
Polling Places (Ward 17):
- Portobello Library (New for 2026)
- Branch Out Together
- St Mark’s Episcopal Church (New for 2026)
- Bingham Community Centre
- St Martins Parish Church
- Craigmillar Library
- Hays Business Centre
- Newcraighall Leith Victoria FC
The count is carried out electronically and will be conducted at Waverley Court beginning at 10pm on 3 September when the polls close.
