Voting by post

If you’re on the electoral register, you can apply to vote by post instead of voting at the polling station.

You don’t need to give a reason; you can simply choose this method if it’s more convenient for you.

You can apply for a postal vote for one election, for example if you’re going on holiday, for a specific period of time, or indefinitely. 

Applying for a postal vote

Contact us to ask for a postal vote application form.  You can also download one from the GOV.UK website.

You must return your application to us by 5pm, 11 working days before the date of an election. 

If you’re unable to sign, or can’t provide a consistent signature, you may be eligible to apply for a postal vote waiver.  This means that you don’t have to provide your signature, just your date of birth.  If you would like to apply for a waiver, please phone the Elections Helpline on (01226) 773070.

When we receive your application for a postal vote

We’ll post your ballot papers to your home address about 10 days before an election. If you want them sending to a different address, inside or outside the UK, you must tell us in your application form and give a reason why.

If you don’t receive your ballot papers or they’re spoiled on arrival, you can apply for replacements, but you must do so by 5pm on election day.  We’ll need to see photographic identification to reissue a postal vote. 

If your ballot papers are spoiled, please send the pack back to us.

For more information, call the Elections Helpline on (01226) 773070 for more information.

Casting your vote

When you receive your ballot pack, it will contain your ballot paper, your postal voting statement in a one-piece document attached to envelope A, and a return envelope B.  Please be careful not to mix up your documents with anyone else’s in your household.

Complete the postal voting statement in black ink, giving your date of birth and signature in the boxes provided.  Don’t detach the security statement from envelope A.

Complete your ballot paper in secret.  Vote for ONE candidate only by marking a cross (X) in the box next to your choice.  Don’t mark the ballot paper in any other way or your vote may not count.

Fold your ballot paper, place it in envelope A and seal the envelope.

Put your completed postal voting statement and envelope A (please do not detach) into return envelope B.  Seal the envelope and post it back to us.  If it’s posted in the UK, this will be free.

Postal votes MUST be received by the close of poll (10pm) on the day of the election, or they’ll not be counted. 

If you haven’t got time to post your vote back, you can drop it off in the ballot box provided at the Town Hall during office hours.  Alternatively, you can deliver it to any polling station in your electoral area on the day of the election.

If you move house

If you move house or change your name, you’ll need to complete a new application form.  Please contact us and we can send one out to you.

Refreshing your signature

If you’ve had a postal or proxy vote for over five years, by law we have to ask you to provide a fresh signature. We’ll get in touch when we need you to do this.

Where requested, please proved your signature by the specified deadline or we will cancel your postal or proxy vote.

If we cancel your postal or proxy vote, this doesn't stop you from making a new application in the future.