If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.

You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

You can apply to vote by post for a particular election, for a set time or a maximum of up to three years.

How to apply for a postal vote

You can apply for a postal vote in a number of ways:

Your completed postal vote application form must be received by the Electoral Services office before 5pm, 11 working days before an election. You are strongly advised to complete and send in your application early. Don't wait until the election date is known.

All applications – both online and paper – will require an identity check as part of the application process. You must provide a signature (or a signature waiver) a date of birth and a National Insurance number as part of the application. If your identity cannot be verified against the Department for Work & Pensions' records, then the Electoral Services office will request some documentary evidence to prove your identity.

Paper postal vote application forms should be returned to Electoral Registration Officer, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TR or send a scanned copy of the completed form to Electoral Services.

How to check if you have a postal vote

If you wish to know whether you have a postal vote, please contact Electoral Services and they can confirm whether you have a postal vote set up.

How to cancel your postal vote

If you wish to cancel your postal vote, you will need to send a signed letter to Electoral Services requesting that they cancel your postal vote.

Alternatively, please contact Electoral Services who can send you a postal vote cancellation form. The completed letter/form will need to be received by the same deadline of applications for a postal vote, 5pm 11 working days prior to an election.

Returning your postal vote pack

Ballot papers and accompanying postal voting statement are usually sent out in a postal vote pack about two weeks before the day of an election. Once you’ve completed the forms by following the instructions in your postal vote pack, you then need to return these to us by 10pm on the day of the election, using one of the following options:

  • by post in the pre-paid envelope provided
  • by taking it to a polling station in the ward or division or constituency of the election
  • by bringing it to Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TX

Please allow plenty of time for posting to ensure that your papers arrive in good time.

For more information regarding voting by post, please visit The Electoral Commission website.

Last updated: Fri 24th November, 2023 @ 11:35