Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Combined Authority Mayoral elections

What does a postal voting agent do?

A postal voting agent is allowed to attend and observe postal vote opening sessions, which are run by the local RO.

At each opening session the local RO will decide whether or not the date of birth and signature provided by electors on their postal voting statements match the signature and date of birth previously provided and held on their records. If there is a mismatch, the postal vote will be rejected.

A postal voting agent has a right to observe, but not to interfere with, this process. A postal voting agent can, however, object to the decision of a local RO to reject a postal vote.1 It will not affect the local RO's decision, but the local RO will record any objections by marking the postal voting statement with the words 'rejection objected to'.

Like your postal voting agents, you, your election agent and the person you may have appointed to attend on your election agent’s behalf are also entitled to object to a rejection.

The local RO will explain the postal vote opening process to you and may issue you with information on the procedures to be followed, including instructions on what people attending an opening session can and cannot do. Anyone attending an opening session should comply with any instructions that the local RO has given.

Last updated: 1 December 2023