Vote by post
If you do not want to visit a polling station on election day you can apply to vote by post.
You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.
From 31 October 2023, anyone who has a postal vote will need to reapply every 3 years if they want to continue to vote by post.
We will write to you to remind you when your postal vote is due to expire so you can reapply.
Find out more about the postal vote refresh.
Apply or reapply to vote by post online
You can apply or reapply to vote online for just 1 election or for up to 3 years.
Your application must be received by 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
You'll need to have your National Insurance number for security.
Apply or reapply to vote by post online
Postal vote refresh
You now need to reapply for your postal vote every 3 years.
We'll start writing to electors who are required to reapply between February 2025 and January 2026.
It's important that you reapply for your postal vote if you wish to continue to vote by post.
If a new signature is not received by 31 January 2026, we're required to cancel the absent vote. You'll remain on the electoral roll but will need to vote in person until a new valid application for an absent vote is received.
If we hold an email or mobile number, we may contact you with further information on how to update your signature.
What happens next
Once you're registered as a postal voter, you'll be sent a Postal Voting Statement and ballot paper to your address before an election.
You'll need to read the instructions that come with the pack carefully.
You must:
- mark your vote on the ballot paper
- fill out the Postal Vote Statement including your signature and date of birth.
This is so we can check these details against your application to make sure no one else has used your vote. If your signature does not match the one you gave on your postal vote application, or your date of birth is different, your vote will not be counted.
Your postal ballot paper can be sent to your home address. You should receive it about 5 days before election day. If you move house or change your name you will need to complete a new postal application.
Your completed postal vote pack must arrive no later than 10pm on election day. You can also hand in your completed pack at your local polling station or Gun Wharf on election day. You will be required to complete a form to confirm your name and address and how many completed postal vote packs you are handing in. Unless you complete that form, the postal votes you are trying to hand in will be rejected.
If you cannot sign the documents
In the following situations, we can decide that a signature is not needed and approve a 'waiver':
- if you cannot provide a signature because a disability makes it impossible
- if you cannot read or write
- if you're unable to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of a disability or inability.
Please note your waiver form will need to be attested by someone to confirm you cannot provide a signature.
Cancel your postal vote
You can cancel your postal vote if, for example, you decide you'd prefer to vote in person or you need someone to vote on your behalf.
You must cancel your postal vote 11 working days before polling day.
What we do with your information
The law requires that we provide the details of those who have appointed a proxy or chosen to vote by post to registered political parties, elected representatives and candidates in elections. There is no provision for you to withdraw your consent for this without cancelling your proxy or postal vote arrangement.
We will only use the contact details you provide to speak to you about your application. These details are not provided to anyone else.
Protect your vote
Watch this short video about protecting your postal vote.