Scottish Elections May 2026

Find Your Best Tactical Voting Option

How The Scottish Parliament Vote Works

The May 2026 election uses two types of votes.

Regional List Vote (56 Seats)*

These seats are allocated using proportional representation. For this vote, most people can simply choose their preferred party.

Constituency Vote (73 Seats)

Each constituency elects one MSP. It's a winner-takes-all system where first past the post takes the seat.

Where This Tool Helps

Some people choose to vote tactically in constituency seats. This may be in support of Scottish Independence, support Scotland remaining in the Union, or to keep a particular party out. This tool helps identify the most effective tactical choice in each constituency.

Start By Choosing Your Goal

Choose one to continue.

OR

*The 56 regional seats are filled from the regional list vote using proportional representation. Tactical voting does not work in the same way for list votes, and this site does not provide recommendations for them. This tool focuses on the 73 constituency seats, which are decided using first-past-the-post, where tactical voting can make a difference.