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Democracy and elections

Voting

VOTING

There are many ways in which you can cast your vote.  These include:

• Postal Voting
• Proxy Voting
• Overseas Voting
• Service Voting

Postal Voting

What is Postal Voting?

If you are unable to vote in person you can apply for a postal vote.  You may wish to use a postal vote for a number of reasons.  If your work or study regularly takes you away from home; because you will be on holiday on polling day; because you are in poor health; or simply because it is more convenient for you.  You can apply for a postal vote at any time of the year, you do not have to wait until the election.

Who can vote by post?

Postal Voting is available to all registered electors on request.  Instead of voting at a polling station a ballot paper is sent to the address as specified on the application form.  Postal votes can be sent to an address outside the UK, but the length of time taken for the post to travel should be taken into consideration.

Changes to Voting by Post

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 has changed the structure of postal voting.  The declaration and witness statement no longer exist, being replaced with 'personal identifiers'.  When you receive your postal vote application you must enter your date of birth and signature.  This information will be retained by the elections office and will be cross referenced at an election.  This will remain confidential and will only be used for election purposes.  When you receive your postal vote a postal vote statement will need to be filled in using the same information entered on the application.  In order to vote by post at any given election, the application must be received 11 working days prior to the election date.

To download a Postal Vote Application form please click here or alternatively contact the Electoral Services Office.

How long can I have a postal vote for?

You can have a postal vote for the next election, a fixed period of time, or a maximum of five years.  If you choose five years then we will write to you at the end of that period to allow you to renew your application.  If you move house your postal vote will be cancelled and you will need to complete a new application form.  To cancel a postal voting arrangement at any other time, you will need to write to the Electoral Services Office.


Proxy Voting

What is Proxy Voting?

Proxy voting enables you to appoint a person to vote on your behalf.  The appointed person can vote on your behalf in two ways; by going to the polling station itself or by voting by post known as a "postal proxy".

Who can apply for a proxy vote?

Proxy voting is not on demand and therefore a reason must be given as to why an elector needs to appoint a proxy.  You can have a proxy vote if you are registered blind, if you receive the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance, or there are circumstances resulting in you being unable to go to the polling station at a particular election (e.g. you will be away on holiday at the time of election).

You can also have a proxy vote for the following reasons, which are usually long term and generally require attestation:

Physical incapacity; the application must be supported by a registered medical practitioner, registered nurse or Christian Science practitioner providing that the person is giving you care or treatment.  If you are in a residential home or sheltered housing then the head of the home or warden can support your application.

Occupation, service or employment; the application must be supported by your employer.  If you are self-employed the person supporting your application must be 18 or over, must know your circumstances and must not be related to you.

Emergency proxy applications - due to incapacity; if you are taken ill after the closing time and date for the applications to vote by proxy you can now apply until 5.00pm on election day.  Please contact the Electoral Services office for an application form.

Who can I appointed as a proxy?

The person you appoint as your proxy must be registered as an elector and must also be able to vote in the type of election concerned, irrespective of whether they are currently registered as an elector.  A proxy may not vote at the same election for more than two people unless they are a close relative (husband, wife, parent, grandparent, brother, sister or grandchild) of the people they are voting for.

Changes to Proxy Voting

Like the new Postal Voting arrangements, proxy voters now also need to provide personal identifiers.  When filling in the application a date of birth and signature must be entered onto the form.  Your application must be received by the elections office no later than six working days prior to the election date.

To download a Proxy Application Form please click here or alternatively contact the Electoral Services Office


Overseas Voters

Anyone who is living overseas/abroad is entitled to vote in the UK for a period of 15 years after they were last entered on the electoral register.  If you have never been registered as an elector in the UK, you will not be eligible to register as an overseas elector.  However, if you left the UK before you were 18 years of age you can register at your parents or guardians address, providing that you left the country no more than 15 years ago.

How do I apply to be register?

If you would like an application form to register as an overseas elector, please click here or alternatively contact the Electoral Services Office.  Once completed please return the form to the address provided on the foot of the page.  On receipt of an application, an acknowledgement will be sent to you and we will also inform the person nominated by you to act as your proxy (if applicable) that they have been appointed.  An application only lasts for 12 months, and we will write to you after nine months of your registration for your annual renewal.

How can I vote?

Overseas electors may either appoint a person to vote on their behalf at the polling station or vote themselves by post.  If a postal vote is chosen, the applicant should bear in mind the length of time taken for post to travel in either direction, because the ballot paper is only issued one to two weeks before Polling Day. If you are registered as an overseas elector you will only be allowed to vote in Parliamentary Elections and European Parliamentary Elections.  You will not be able to vote in Local Elections.


Service Voters

Members of the armed forces may register to vote at their home address just as a normal civilian elector or as a Service Voter.  Service Voters are entitled to vote in Local, Parliamentary and European Parliamentary Elections in the UK.

To download an application to register as a service voter or husband or wife of a service voter please click here.


How do I register if I am posted overseas?

If you are overseas serving in the armed forces then you need to complete a service declaration.  If you would like an application form to register as a service voter please download the form above or alternatively contact the Electoral Services Team.  You need to register at an address where you resided in the past or where you would live if you were not posted overseas.

How can I vote?

Service Voters may either appoint a person to vote on their behalf at the polling station or vote themselves by post.  If a postal vote is chosen, the applicant should bear in mind the length of time taken for post to travel in either direction, because the ballot paper is only issued 7 to 10 days before Polling Day.  If you are registered as a service voter you are entitled to vote in Local, Parliamentary and European Parliamentary Elections in the UK.

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