Any elector can chose to vote by post.

Electors can also vote by proxy, this is where you ask someone else to cast your vote on your behalf.

• Voting by Post

  This is option is available to all registered electors and can be for a particular election, a set period or indefinite. You need to be registered as an elector and provide your date of birth and a sample signature. Ballot papers can be posted to any address in the UK or abroad, although if you are overseas at the time of an election you may wish to appoint a proxy as postal ballot papers are normally issued approximately one week ahead of an election and must be returned and in the hands of the Returning Officer who conducts the election by the close of the poll on the day of the election.

  Signatures and Dates of Birth must be provided by electors who apply to vote by post. In special circumstances, a signature waiver can be granted if we agree that a particular elector cannot provide a consistent signature. The signatures and dates of birth are called Personal Identifiers and are kept securely. They are used by Returning Officers running elections to check the signature and date of birth provided with electors’ completed postal ballot security statements.

  Signatures have to be refreshed periodically to ensure that any changes in a voter’s signature do not lead to a postal ballot paper being rejected by the Returning Officer at the time of a particular election.  If you do not respond to an invitation to refresh your signature, you will be advised in writing that your arrangements to vote by post have been cancelled.  You will however still be able to vote as long as your remain registered to do so.  You can also re-apply to vote by post.  If however you can no longer provide a consistent signature but want to continue to vote by post, you can apply for an exemption.  Please contact us for details.

  Application forms are available below.

  Application Forms

• Voting by Proxy

  This option is available to all registered electors who cannot reasonably be expected to vote in person at their polling station and have not opted to vote by post.

  Your proxy must:

  • be registered and be eligible to vote in the type of election concerned.

  • not have agreed to act as a proxy for more than two electors in total, apart from family members (spouse/civil partner, parent, grandparent, sibling, child or grandchild).

  A proxy may act for any number of family members providing that they are eligible to vote in the election concerned.

  You can vote by proxy for an indefinite period if you are:

  • registered to vote as a British citizen resident overseas
  • registered to vote as a member of HM Armed Forces (or the spouse /civil partner)
  • registered as a Crown servant or British Council employee who is overseas (or the spouse/civil partner)
  • registered as an anonymous voter
  • unable to vote in person due to a disability
  • unable to vote in person due to attendance at an educational course (or the spouse/civil partner of the student)
  • unable to vote in person due to employment reasons (or the spouse/civil partner)

  If your proxy cannot cast your vote in person, they too can apply to vote by post – but must apply before the earlier deadline that applies for postal voting.

  Signatures and Dates of Birth must be provided by electors who apply to vote by  proxy.  In special circumstances, a signature waiver can be granted if we agree that a particular elector cannot provide a consistent signature. Persons appointed as proxies are only required to provide signatures and dates of birth if they wish to vote by post.  The signatures and dates of birth are called Personal Identifiers and are kept securely. They are used by Returning Officers running elections to check the signature and date of birth provided with electors’ completed postal ballot security statements.

  Signatures have to be refreshed periodically to ensure that any changes in a signature do not lead to a postal ballot paper being rejected by the Returning Officer at the time of a particular election.  If you do not respond to an invitation to refresh your signature, you will be advised in writing that your postal absent voting arrangements have been cancelled.  You will however still be able to act as a proxy as long as you remain appointed to do so.  You can also re-apply to vote by post.  If however you can no longer provide a consistent signature but want to continue with your absent voting arrangements you should contact us for advice.

  Application forms are available below.

  Application Forms

• Deadlines

  Applications can be made all year round, but there are deadlines for applications to register to vote or apply for an absent vote ahead of specific elections.