Voting by post

Overview

Voting by post is a quick, easy and secure alternative to voting at a polling station.

Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote. You do not need a reason to vote by post. 

You can apply for a postal vote for a maximum of three years.

After you've applied

Once your application to vote by post has been accepted, you will receive a postal vote pack containing your ballot papers(s) for the next election.

You will receive your postal vote pack around a week before polling day for an election. Once you receive your pack, you then:

Once your postal vote has been issued, you must use it to cast your vote at that election. You will not be issued a ballot paper at the polling station on polling day. You need to cancel your postal vote if you want to vote in person instead.

If you miss the post

You can either:

  • hand in your postal votes at the council office during office hours to a person authorised to receive postal votes (you will need to complete an extra form, so please allow plenty of time for your visit)
  • take postal votes to any polling station in the voting area before 10pm on the day of the election (you will need to complete an extra form, so please allow plenty of time for your visit)

A person can hand deliver their own postal votes plus no more than five for other voters.

If you're going to be away

You may be away from home at the time of an election and think you will not receive your postal vote pack before you leave.

If so, you may want to consider appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf instead.

If you cannot provide a signature

You may not be able to provide a signature on your postal vote application form due to a disability or an illness.

If so, you may be eligible to have the requirement for you to provide your signature on your form waived.

To request a signature waiver application form or ask about your eligibility, contact us:

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