Voting by post

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

This could be because you’re on holiday or because your work, school or college schedule makes it difficult to get to the polling station when it’s open. 

You can choose to vote by post simply because it would be easier for you.

You can apply to vote by post: 
•    just once, for a single election 
•    for a specific period
•    until you choose to change it 

You need to apply to vote by post with your local elections team no later than 5pm, 11 working days before polling day – but the sooner the better. You don’t need to show photo ID to apply to vote by post.

Download a postal vote application form now or, you can ask your local elections team to send one to you. You will need to give your signature and date of birth on your application form, and again when you vote. This is to confirm who you are.

A postal vote pack will be sent to you before the election. This will include:
•    your ballot paper or papers
•    two envelopes
•    a declaration form

Follow the instructions. Mark your ballot paper, and sign and give your date of birth on the declaration form.  

Put everything in the pre-addressed envelope and send it to your local elections team to be counted. You don’t need to put a stamp on the envelope. 

Your postal vote can be returned to your polling station on polling day. You can return it yourself, or ask someone you trust to return it for you. Your vote needs to be with your local elections team by 10pm on polling day to be counted. 

If you know that you won’t be able to get to your polling place on polling day, you might want to vote by post.

This could be because you’re on holiday or because your work, school or college schedule makes it difficult to get to the polling place when it’s open. 

You can choose to vote by post simply because it would be easier for you. You can apply to vote by post: 

• just once, for a single election 
• for a specific period
• until you choose to change it 

You need to apply to vote by post with your local electoral registration office no later than 5pm, 11 working days before polling day – but the sooner the better. You don’t need to show photo ID to apply to vote by post.   

Download a postal vote application form now or, you can ask your local electoral registration office to send one to you. You will need to give your signature and date of birth on your application form, and again when you vote. This is to confirm who you are.

A postal vote pack will be sent to you before the election. This will include:

• your ballot paper or papers
• two envelopes
• a declaration form 

Follow the instructions. Mark your ballot paper, and sign and give your date of birth on the declaration form.  

Put everything in the pre-addressed envelope and send it to your local elections team to be counted. You don’t need to put a stamp on the envelope. 

Your postal vote can be returned to your polling place on polling day. You can return it yourself, or ask someone you trust to return it for you. Your vote needs to be with your local elections team by 10pm on polling day to be counted. 
 

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

This could be because you’re on holiday or because your work, school or college schedule makes it difficult to get to the polling station when it’s open. 

You can choose to vote by post simply because it would be easier for you.

You can apply to vote by post: 

• just once, for a single election 
• for a specific period
• until you choose to change it 

You need to apply to vote by post with your local elections team no later than 11 working days before polling day – but the sooner the better. 

Download a postal vote application form now or, you can ask your local elections team to send one to you. You will need to give your signature and date of birth on your application form, and again when you vote. This is to confirm who you are.

A postal vote pack will be sent to you before the election. This will include:

• your ballot paper or papers 
• two envelopes
• a declaration form

Follow the instructions. Mark your ballot paper, and sign and give your date of birth on the declaration form.  

Put everything in the pre-addressed envelope and send it to your local elections team to be counted. You don’t need to put a stamp on the envelope. 

Your postal vote can be returned your polling station on polling day. You can return it yourself, or ask someone you trust to return it for you. Your vote needs to be with your local elections team by 10pm on polling day to be counted. 

If you won’t be able to get to your polling station on polling day, you may be able to vote by post.
This could be because of illness or disability, because you’re away on holiday or because your work, school or college schedule makes it hard to get to the polling station when it’s open.

You can usually only apply to vote by post for a single election, but you can apply for a permanent postal vote in some situations.

Postal vote packs can only be sent within the UK, so if you live outside of the UK, you may want to consider voting by proxy [LINK TO VOTING BY PROXY PAGE].

You need to apply for a postal vote no later than 11 working days before polling day – but the sooner the better. You don’t need photo ID to apply to vote by post.

Apply to vote by post to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland. 

You will need to provide: 

• your date of birth
• your signature
• your Digital Registration Number (DRN) if you registered to vote online. This is to confirm who you are 

You’ll be asked for some of this information again when you vote.

If you registered to vote online, you’ll be sent a DRN when you are added to the electoral register. If you don’t have your DRN, you can ask the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for a reminder.

A postal vote pack will then be sent to you before the election. This will include:

• a ballot paper
• two envelopes
• a declaration form

Follow the instructions, put everything back in pre-addressed envelope and post it to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland to be counted. You don’t need to put a stamp on the envelope.