Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

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Receiving and opening postal votes

As part of your planning for the delivery of key processes, you will have made decisions on the process to follow when you receive completed postal votes. 

This section includes further guidance relating to the processes you must follow on receipt of completed postal votes, including managing the postal opening process and the records you must keep as part of this process. 

Cross-boundary constituencies

In the case of a constituency that covers more than one local authority, the receipt and opening of postal votes may happen at more than one location in the constituency. In these circumstances these processes must be carried out by appointed deputies from any other local authorities and the guidance in this section will also be relevant to them.

Last updated: 18 November 2025