Postal and Proxy voting

Anyone can register to vote by post for a specific election, a set period of time or for a maximum period of up to three years. You can ask to have your postal ballot paper sent to any address in the UK or abroad.

Voting by proxy means appointing someone to vote for you at your polling station. Your proxy goes to the polling station on polling day and marks your ballot paper in the normal way. Your proxy may apply to receive your ballot paper by post.

Postal voting

You can apply for a postal vote up to twelve working days before an election.

When applying to vote by post, you must provide us with your date of birth and signature - these are checked against the completed postal vote pack at an election to keep your vote secure. Please note, from 31 October 2023, you must provide your national insurance number when applying to vote by post. This is due to a change in electoral law which requires you to verify your identity when applying to vote by post. Additionally, due to this change in electoral law, postal vote arrangements will also now only be valid for a maximum period of up to three years after which you will need to reapply.

There are certain exemptions for those who are unable to provide a signature, for example if the applicant has a disability or is unable to read or write.

Your postal vote will be mixed with all the others before counting begins, so your vote will be kept secret. If you have applied for and been sent a postal vote you cannot vote in person at a polling station.

Apply for a postal vote

You can apply online for a postal vote using the online application service (from 31st October 2023 onwards). If you are unable to use the online application service and require a paper form to complete, please contact us at elections@sholland.gov.uk or contact our customer services team on 01775 761161.

If possible, allow plenty of time when applying so you can receive your ballot paper and return it in good time. You do not need to wait until an election is being held to apply. 

Proxy voting

If you appoint a proxy, you may vote in person provided you do so before your proxy. However, if your proxy votes by post, you will not be able to vote in person or by post.

Due to a change in electoral law, all existing proxy appointments will expire on 31 January 2024. We will be writing out to all residents in due course to renew their proxy application and how they can do this.

Apply for a proxy vote

If you have a reason that prevents you from voting in person at your polling station you can apply to vote by proxy. You have to give a reason to vote by proxy and applications, other than for a particular election, need to be supported by another qualified person.

If you want to vote by proxy just for a particular election you must specify the reason why you can not vote in person at your polling station, but do not need to get anyone to support your application.

You can apply for a proxy vote online using the online application service (from 31st October 2023 onwards). If you are unable to use the online application service and require a paper form to complete, please contact us at elections@sholland.gov.uk or contact our customer services team on 01775 761161.