Published 29 October 2024
Candidates for the by-election taking place next month in the Kilpatrick ward have been confirmed.
West Dunbartonshire residents in the Kilpatrick ward will be able to vote for their preferred candidate for election when the polls open on Thursday 28 November.
The deadline for nominations passed on 28 October, and eight candidates have now been confirmed.
They are:
Paula Baker: Scottish Greens
Dylan McAllister: Communist Party of Britain
Ewan McGinnigle: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Andrew Joseph Muir: Scottish Family Party
Kai O’Connor: Scottish Liberal Democrats
William Rooney: Scottish Labour Party
Marina Scanlan: Scottish National Party (SNP)
David Haydn Smith: UK Reform
Voting will get underway from 7am on 28 November, with polling places remaining open until the vote closes at 10pm.
The count will take place immediately after the polls close, with a declaration as soon as possible thereafter.
Residents are being encouraged to ensure they are registered to take part in the vote, including adhering to deadlines for applying for a postal or proxy vote.
Returning Officer Peter Hessett said: “We want West Dunbartonshire residents who reside in the Kilpatrick ward to ensure they can use their vote to have their say on who they want to represent them.
“The successful candidate elected as a Councillor will make decisions on behalf of residents about local services including roads, parks, schools and planning.
“So I’d encourage everyone in this ward to check they are registered now and if not, ensure you apply before the deadlines. People least likely to be registered include first time voters or those who have recently moved house. I’d encourage anyone who is unsure whether they are on the electoral register to contact the electoral registration office on 0141 562 1200 and, if necessary, complete the forms online which will take just a few minutes.
“In addition, any resident requiring a postal or proxy vote should apply now before the deadline.”
The deadline to apply to be registered ahead of the poll is the 12 November.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 13 November, and for a proxy vote is 5pm on 20 November.
The by-election will use the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system, which asks voters to mark their candidates in numerical order of preference.