Apply to vote by post

You can apply to vote by post for a particular election, for a set period of time, or for all future elections and referendums.

Before you apply

You must be registered to vote before applying for a postal vote, see our Register to vote page for how to do this.

Voting abroad

Postal votes can be sent from anywhere, including outside of the United Kingdom if, for example, you are going on holiday. Remember, though, that if the address is outside the UK it will take time to reach you and for you to return it in order for your vote to be counted.

Moving house

If you move house you must contact us immediately or you may lose your postal vote.

When are postal votes sent out?

Postal votes are usually sent out about 10 days before election day.

How to fill it in

Once you've got it, mark your vote on the ballot paper and make sure you send it back in the envelope provided so that it arrives by the close of the poll, 10.00pm on the election day. If it arrives later than this your vote won't be counted.

Returning your completed Postal Ballot Papers

For the return of completed postal ballot papers, Royal Mail priority post boxes can be used. Priority post boxes have both an early and a late collection time as well as a Saturday and Sunday collection, meaning we could receive your returned postal ballot papers quicker.

Find your nearest priority post box through Royal Mail

If you miss the deadline for returning your postal vote

If it is too late to post your postal vote envelope, you can take it to a polling station (before the close of poll) within the same electoral area and hand it to the Presiding Officer, who will arrange for it be delivered to the count station.

Lost postal votes

If you lose or damage your postal vote, you can request a replacement - contact us on 03000 261 212.