How to vote

If you can't visit a polling station on polling day, or would prefer not to, you can apply to vote by post.

Your ballot paper will be sent to you, by post, a week or two before polling day.

You are then able to complete your ballot paper (alongside any relevant paperwork) and send it back via post. A freepost envelope with a return address, will be sent to you with your ballot paper.

You are also able to hand in your ballot paper to a polling station on polling day (between 7am - 10pm). This will need to be a polling station within your own electoral area - and usually within your own ward.

In April 2022, the Elections Act 2022 was granted royal assent. The Act brought major changes to the way elections are run.

Postal voters must reapply to vote by post every three years.

Political parties and campaigners will be banned from handling postal vote packs.

There will be a limit as to how many postal vote packs a person can hand in to a polling station.

Apply for a postal vote

In April 2022, the Elections Act 2022 was granted royal assent. The Act brought major changes to the way elections are run.

As of Tuesday 31 October 2023, you are now able to apply for a postal vote online.

You will need to provide your National Insurance number when you apply.

Apply for a postal vote online

If you require our assistance - or are unable to apply online - please contact our Elections team on 0300 1234000 (Option 7).

Refreshing signatures of absent voters

Each January, we send a written notice to every absent voter (postal and proxy voters) who has not updated their signature for more than five years. This notice will ask you to confirm your date of birth, and provide an up-to-date signature.

We will use this information to replace the information you provided when you originally applied to be an absent voter.

You can also use the notice to cancel your absent vote, if you no longer need it.

If you do not reply to the written notice, we will send you a reminder notice.

If you do not reply to the reminder notice, we will cancel your absent vote. You will have to vote in person, at a polling station.

When you vote by proxy, you appoint someone that you trust to vote on your behalf.

The person that you appoint can choose to cast your vote in person, or by post.

Please note that if a proxy voter wants to cast your vote in person, they will need to attend your appointed polling station.

Anyone can be a proxy voter - so long as they are eligible to vote, and are willing to vote for you.

A proxy voter cannot vote for more than two people at one election (unless the person they are voting for is a close relative).

Voting by proxy means appointing a trusted friend or relative to carry out your vote on your behalf.

Usually the proxy will go to your allocated polling station to cast your vote for you in person, but they can apply to receive your vote through the post for them to complete if this is preferred (as long as they apply for this by the relevant deadline for each election).

Applying to vote by proxy as a one-off arrangement for a specific election date is available to everyone, providing there is a valid reason.

We can also register you for proxy voting valid for a three-year period (subject to legal requirements) if:

• You regularly work away
• You are a student studying away from home
• You find it physically difficult to attend the polling station

Apply for a proxy

Emergency proxy votes

You can apply for a proxy vote less than six working days before polling day (and up until 5pm on the day), under some emergency circumstances:

1. In the case where a medical condition, illness or disability has arisen less than six days before polling day
2. In the case where the voter is a mental health patient, who has been detained under civil powers
3. In the case where the voter's occupation causes them not to be able to vote in person - and they became aware of this less than six working days before the poll

Advantages of voting by proxy

Voting by proxy can make it easier for people to vote. It may benefit you if:

• you are not able to get to your appointed polling station on polling day
• you are not well, and won't be able to vote in person on polling day
• you are overseas

Refreshing signatures of absent voters

Each January, we send a written notice to every absent voter (postal and proxy voters) who has not updated their signature for more than five years. This notice will ask you to confirm your date of birth, and provide an up-to-date signature.

We will use this information to replace the information you provided when you originally applied to be an absent voter.

You can also use the notice to cancel your absent vote, if you no longer need it.

If you do not reply to the written notice, we will send you a reminder notice.

If you do not reply to the reminder notice, we will cancel your absent vote. You will have to vote in person, at a polling station.