Postal Vote

Voting by post and by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post or ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you, which is called a proxy vote.

Postal vote

Postal votes are usually sent out approximately two weeks before polling day for you to complete and return to us. You do not have to give any reason for asking for a postal vote but note that:

• you must be registered to vote on the electoral register before you can apply for a postal vote
• we need to receive your postal vote application at least 11 working days before the election date
• you can apply for a postal vote online
• if you are not able to apply online, please contact us for a paper application
• you can apply for a postal vote for a specific time period or for a maximum of three years and reapply every three years to continue to vote by post
• a postal vote can be sent to any address you specify (including overseas) but you need to consider whether there would be time for you to receive and return your ballot paper by polling day
• if you have been sent a postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling station. However, you can drop off your completed postal vote at your polling station
• you must provide your National Insurance number when applying for a postal vote online or via a paper application form
• political parties and campaigners are banned from handling electors’ postal votes
• electors are limited to the number of postal packs they can hand in at a polling station. You can only hand in your own postal vote and five other postal votes and you are required to complete a form when handing them in.

View the Postal Vote Changes page.

For more information view the Postal Voting page.

Please click the link here.