Elections - Postal and Proxy Votes

Postal Voting

Anyone can now apply for a postal vote.  A simple application form is all you need to complete and then return it to the Elections Office.

When a postal vote has been posted to you, you cannot vote in person at a polling station.

You can choose on the application form to vote at a one-off election or vote by post on a permanent basis.

If you move house you must notify the Elections Office as soon as possible or you won’t receive your postal vote at your new address.

Remember to apply for your postal vote as soon as you can.  If there is an election during any year there will be a deadline date for new applications, this is normally 11 days before an election.  This deadline date will also apply to changes / cancellation of / amended or redirected postal vote papers.

You must be able to sign your name to vote by post.  If you are unable to sign you need to request a Postal Vote Waiver application.  Power of attorney does not apply to postal voting.

In a bid to combat fraud, all postal votes will now be subject to signature checking. When you make an application to vote by post you will be asked to provide a specimen signature and your date of birth. This information will be required on a security statement on all returned ballot papers, and will be checked against our records.

Proxy Voting

If you will be away from home and will not be able vote in person or be able to receive your postal ballot paper you may prefer to appoint someone to vote on your behalf.  This person does not need to be a relative, just someone you know and trust.  That person will receive a letter to hand into your polling station and that will enable them to vote on your behalf. 

Please note though a proxy cannot vote for more than two people at any one election, unless they are a close relative and they must be eligible to vote in that type of election.

The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is normally 6 working days before an election. 

If you have a medical emergency 6 or less working days before an election you can apply to vote by emergency proxy if the emergency means that you cannot go to the polling station in person.