Running electoral registration - Wales

For different types of election, there are different postal vote application forms available for use in Wales to collect the required application information.

Postal vote applications for Senedd and local government elections must be made using paper forms, while an application for a UK Parliamentary or Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election may be made either online or using a paper form. In addition, as part of an application for a UK Parliamentary or PCC election the applicant’s National Insurance Number must be provided, or a reason it cannot be provided , to enable you to perform the required identity verification. For more information see our guidance on Verification of an applicant’s identity.

When  you receive a request for a postal vote application form in Wales you will need to decide whether to send a combined or stand-alone paper application form. Alternatively, depending on how you have received the request e.g. an email or telephone request, if appropriate you may be able to direct them to apply online.
 

What are the stand-alone and combined postal vote application forms?

There are three types of postal vote application forms that can be used in Wales; standalone forms for specific election types and a combined form for use in all elections:

• a standalone postal vote application form for to vote by post in  local government and/or Senedd elections
• a standalone postal vote application form at UK Parliamentary and/or PCC elections
• a combined postal vote application form to vote by post at local government, Senedd, UK Parliamentary and PCC elections.

There are some steps to take to ensure you are sending the most appropriate form to the elector, or identify when you could encourage an online application. You should:

• firstly, check that the applicant is registered to vote or has made an application to be registered to vote. If they have not, you should explain that the applicant needs to be registered to vote and should offer them the opportunity to apply to register online or send them a voter registration form
• then establish the polls that the elector is eligible to vote at based on their franchise
• finally, check whether the elector already has a postal vote arrangement in place and which polls this is for.  

When to send a standalone application form for use in Senedd and/or local government elections.

When you receive a request for a postal vote application form, you can decide to send this paper stand-alone postal vote application form to an elector if they:

• are Qualifying foreign nationals only eligible to vote in Senedd and local government elections
• do not have an existing postal voting arrangement in place, and you receive an online application for a postal vote for UK Parliamentary elections but the elector is also eligible to make a separate application to vote by post at Senedd and local government elections. This may also be impacted by whether they have requested a one-off or time-limited postal vote and also by proximity to the poll.  

When to send a standalone application form for use in a UK Parliamentary and/or PCC election, or direct to the online application process.

When you receive a request for a postal vote application form, you can decide to send this paper stand-alone postal vote application form to an elector if they: 

• are an overseas elector only eligible to vote in a UK Parliamentary election
• already have an existing postal vote arrangement for Senedd and local government but not for a UK Parliamentary or PCC election

When  to send a combined form  for use at UK Parliamentary, PCC, Senedd and local government elections

When you receive a request for a postal voting application form, you can decide to send a combined paper postal vote application form to an elector if:

• they are registered and eligible to vote at UK Parliamentary, PCC, Senedd and local government elections
• they do not have an existing postal vote arrangement 
• their name has changed on the register 
• their existing postal voting arrangement in place is due to expire

We also have guidance for EROs on managing the confirmation of the outcomes of postal vote applications.