Applying and voting by post for the Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online.
You can now complete your application using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
If you cannot register online, you can download an application from Apply to vote by post | Electoral Commission, complete it and return it to us using the contact details below.
To register for a postal vote, you'll need
- The address where you are registered to vote
- The date of the next election or referendum (if you want a postal vote for one particular election)
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- A photograph of your handwritten signature. (online only)
The deadline for the receipt of new postal vote applications or to change or cancel an existing postal vote application for all elections is 11 working days prior to polling day.
You can apply for a postal vote for one of these particular elections, for a specific period of time or for a maximum period of up to three years. You will need to re-apply by the third 31 January after your application has been granted. A notice informing you of the need to reapply will be sent prior to this at the end of that time.
Completing your postal vote
When you receive your postal pack it will include all the instructions you need on how to complete and send your postal vote. You will need to mark your ballot paper in the normal way, and must also complete the postal voting statement with your date of birth and signature (unless you have been granted a waiver). Without this, your vote is invalid.
We must receive your completed postal pack for any election or referendum by 10pm on polling day.
- Complete your postal vote in private and do not let anyone else see it
- Do not let anyone else vote for you
- Do not give your ballot paper or postal pack to anyone else
- Seal all envelopes yourself
- Take your postal vote to the post box yourself. If this isn't possible give it to someone you know and trust to post it for you
- Check for a priority post box close to where you live. These post boxes have early and late collection times and many are emptied on Saturday and Sunday
- If anyone tries to help you against your will, or forces you to give them your postal vote, you should contact the police
- You may have heard about the requirement to take photographic identification to the polling station. This does not affect postal votes.
Returning your completed postal vote
The easiest and most convenient way to return your completed postal pack is by posting it in a Royal Mail post box using the pre-paid B envelope.
You can still hand deliver your postal vote to a polling station or the Electoral Services office before 10pm on polling day but be aware that the rules on postal vote handling have now changed. If you decide to hand deliver your completed postal vote, you now need to complete a postal vote return form. If this form is not completed at all or not completed correctly, your postal vote will be rejected and not be counted in the election.
Staff authorised to receive postal votes at polling stations and your Electoral Services office can help you complete this form.
Who can hand deliver postal votes
You can only hand deliver your postal vote if you complete a postal vote return form. This is now law and any postal votes left at the polling station or council offices without the completed form will be rejected.
- An individual can hand in their own postal vote as well as postal votes for up to five other people.
- Political campaigners can handle their own postal vote and postal votes for up to five others who are either a close relative, or someone for whom they, or the organisation which employs or engages them, provides regular care. (Close relatives are an individual's spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild. Two people living together as if they were a married couple or civil partners are treated as such).
- Any postal votes that are handed in which belong to other people except those set out above will be rejected.
Who cannot hand deliver postal votes
- Political campaigners cannot handle postal votes for other electors who are not close relatives or someone for whom they provide regular care. (Close relatives are an individual's spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild. Two people living together as if they were a married couple or civil partners are treated as such)
- Individuals who are under 18
- Individuals who have already handed in the maximum permitted number of postal votes for that election
It is an offence for political campaigners to handle postal votes which are not their own, those of close relatives or those of someone for whom they provide care. The Returning Officer will notify the police where they suspect an offence has been committed.
Contacts
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