Voting at the polling station, by post and by proxy
Voting by post
About voting by post
If you are unable to get to your polling station on polling day, you can apply to have your ballot paper sent to you in advance. This is called voting by post.
Postal voting packs are not sent out immediately after you apply. They are posted two to three weeks before polling day but could be sent out later if you apply close to the deadline.
If you are going on holiday, check when your postal vote would be likely to arrive before you apply to make sure it arrives before you leave.
You can send a postal vote to an address outside the United Kingdom. However, we cannot guarantee that overseas post will arrive in time.
How to apply
You must complete an application to be granted a postal vote. This application is separate to registering to vote.
To complete an application, you will need to provide your National Insurance number and a copy of your handwritten signature. Your signature will be used to verify your postal vote once it is returned.
Apply online for a postal vote (GOV.UK)
Alternatively, complete the Electoral Services contact form to receive a hard copy form by post.
You must apply before 5pm, 11 working days before polling day, but you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You don’t have to wait for an election to be announced.
If you’re not sure when the deadline is for a particular election, you can find this on your poll card or contact Electoral Services by completing Electoral Services contact form
How to vote by post
When your postal voting pack arrives, it will contain:
- Instructions
- A postal voting statement with a ballot paper attached
- A ballot paper envelope (envelope A)
- A prepaid return envelope (envelope B)
Read through the instructions thoroughly before you complete any part of the postal voting pack. If it is completed incorrectly, your vote may not be counted.
- Separate the ballot paper from the postal voting statement by tearing along the perforation
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On the ballot paper, put a cross in the box next to the name of the candidate (or candidates) you would like to vote for. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted.
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Put the ballot paper into envelope A, with the ballot paper number showing through the window.
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Complete the postal voting statement. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully, putting your date of birth and signature into the boxes provided.
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Put the postal voting statement into envelope B, turning it over, so the return address shows through the window.
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Put envelope A into envelope B and seal it.
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Put envelope B into the post – you don’t need to use a stamp.
Frequently asked questions about voting by post
How do I know if I have a postal vote?
You can contact Electoral Services by completing the Electoral Services contact form at any time to check.
At election time, your poll card will confirm if you will be receiving your ballot paper by post and the address it will be posted to.
I’ve moved but I had a postal vote at my old address – do I need to apply again?
Yes - every time you move addresses you have re-register to vote so you will need to apply to vote by post again as well.
I’m a registered British citizen living overseas – can I vote by post?
Yes, although you should think carefully about whether a postal vote is the right option for you. We cannot guarantee postal packs sent overseas will be received or returned in time, If you are registered as a British citizen living overseas, you are entitled to vote by proxy on a long-term basis, so this may be a better option if you still have friends and family living in the UK.
What if I can’t provide a signature?
You can apply for the requirement to provide a signature to be waived if you have a disability or an injury that affects your ability to sign.
Your application must be supported by someone else to show you cannot sign. You can provide this information when you apply to vote by post online (GOV.UK), or you can contact Electoral Services by completing the Electoral Services contact form for a signature waiver form.
My family member does not have capacity to vote – can I complete and sign their postal voting pack for them?
No. Even if you think you know how they would vote, if they cannot tell you in some way, you must not fill in their ballot paper. This is electoral fraud and can be a criminal offence. If they do not have capacity to vote, contact Electoral Services by completing the Electoral Services contact form to discuss the options for cancelling their postal vote.
How do I cancel my postal vote?
To cancel your postal vote, you must put it in writing. Your letter should state your name, your full address and your signature. This is to make sure no one is trying to cancel your postal vote against your wishes.
You can do this at any time, but if you want to cancel your postal vote for a particular election, you must write to us by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day. You can submit your letter electronically using the Electoral Services contact form
I’m going away on holiday before my postal vote will arrive - what should I do?
If you find out before 5pm, 11 working days before polling day, you can cancel your postal vote and apply to vote by proxy instead. This is when you appoint someone you trust to go to your polling station and fill in your ballot paper on your behalf.
If you find out after 5pm, 11 working days before polling day, it is too late to cancel your postal vote.
I haven’t received my postal voting pack
Postal packs are not sent out as soon as you apply. They are sent out two to three weeks before polling day at the earliest.
Your poll card should tell you when to expect your postal vote to arrive. If it hasn’t arrived by that date, call Electoral Services as soon as possible to apply for a replacement.
What do I do if I make a mistake on my postal vote?
If you make a mistake on either the postal voting statement or the ballot paper, clearly cross out the error and fill it in again. Do not sign or initial the crossing out as this could invalidate your vote.
If you do not have space to fill in the postal voting statement or ballot paper again, or it has been destroyed, call Electoral Services as soon as possible for a replacement.
I’ve missed the post – can I vote in person instead?
No. If you haven’t cancelled your postal vote by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day, you can only use your postal pack to vote.
However, if you have missed the post, you can hand your postal vote (and the postal votes of up to five other voters) into the following locations:
- Reception, Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, LE10 0FR
- Any polling station in the Hinckley and Bosworth borough-area
When you hand in your postal vote to an officer, you will be asked to complete a form. Any postal votes that are not properly receipted by an officer must be rejected.
Last updated: 06/02/2025 15:51
