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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, eg if you’re going on holiday or you can apply for a specific period of time. The maximum you can apply for is three years. 

Applying for a postal vote

If you want to apply for a new postal vote, or renew your postal vote you can apply online to vote by post. You'll need to prove your identity when applying by providing your date of birth and National Insurance number. You'll also need to be able to upload a clear image of your signature.

If you can't apply online, you can still 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 not able 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'd like to apply for a waiver, please contact the Elections Office at electoralservices@barnsley.gov.uk or phone us on 01226 773070.

Renewing a postal vote

You need to reapply for a postal vote every three years. If you don't make a new application to either vote by post or vote by proxy, we'll cancel your postal vote and you'll then need to vote in person. 

If you need to reapply we’ll get in touch with you, either by post or email, asking you to make a new application. This is to make sure we have enough time to process all applications and related queries before the next election.

If we have your email address we will send you an email from the GOV.UK Notify system. You'll know the email we send you is genuine if:

If we don’t have your email address, we will send you a letter which will contain information on what to do next and an application form.

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 you must tell us in your application form and give a reason why. This can be an address inside or outside the UK.

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

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

For more information, call us on 01226 773070.

Casting your vote

When you get your ballot pack, it'll contain:

  • your ballot paper
  • your postal voting statement

These will be in a one-piece document attached to envelope A. You'll also have a return envelope marked 'envelope B'.

You'll need to complete the postal voting statement in black ink. 

Please be careful not to mix up your documents with anyone else’s in your household.

To cast your vote follow these steps:

  • Enter your date of birth and signature in the boxes provided.
  • 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.

Please note that if you hand deliver a completed postal vote, you'll need to complete a statutory form. Our staff can help you to complete this. If you're hand delivering postal votes for others, the maximum amount you can hand in at a polling station or at the Town Hall is six postal votes. This number includes your own vote.

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.

If you no longer wish to vote by post

If you would like to cancel your postal vote, this can be done by contacting the Elections Office at electoralservices@barnsley.gov.uk or by letter to Electoral Services, Barnsley MBC, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. Your correspondence must include your full name and address.

Don’t forget that if you're voting at a polling station, you now need to take an accepted form of photo ID with you. For more information visit the voter ID page on the Electoral Commission website.