Postal Voting

• I will be overseas temporarily on the day of the elections. How can I vote?
• Who can apply for a postal vote?
• How do I get a postal vote?
• For what period does my postal vote last?
• Why do I need to give my date of birth and signature to get a postal or proxy vote?
• How secure is a postal vote?
• Why haven't I received my postal ballot paper?
• I've spoiled my ballot paper/postal voting statement. What do I do? 
• I've lost my postal ballot paper. What do I do?
• If I have applied for a postal vote, can I still vote at the polling station?

I will be overseas temporarily on the day of the elections. How can I vote?

If you are overseas on election day, you can apply to vote either by post or by proxy (to have someone else vote for you).

Who can apply for a postal vote?

Anyone who is registered to vote.

How do I get a postal vote?

You can request a postal vote application form from electoral services. Fill it in and return it to electoral services.

For what period does my postal vote last?

You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.

Why do I need to give my date of birth and signature to get a postal or proxy vote?

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 introduced new measures to improve the security of postal and proxy votes. From 1 January 2007 all postal and proxy voters in England and Wales are required to give their date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote.

Special provision can be made for those who are unable to sign the form. For more information please contact electoral services for more information.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before being checked. Giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

How secure is a postal vote?

It is an offence to complete a postal vote that is not your own, and to influence how others complete their postal vote. If you have any allegations of fraud, they should be referred to the police.

Why haven't I received my postal ballot paper?

You should receive your postal ballot about one week before the election. If it doesn't arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the  Electoral Registration Officer up until 5pm on election day. Contact electoral services for information.

I've spoiled my ballot paper/postal voting statement. What do I do?  

You can get a replacement up until 5pm on election day. You must pick it up in person from the Electoral Registration Officer at Ty Dewi Sant Rhosddu Road Wrexham. You will also need to return your spoilt ballot paper and the other parts of the ballot pack that were sent to you.

I've lost my postal ballot paper. What do I do?

You can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the Electoral Registration Officer up until 5pm on election day.

If I have applied for a postal vote, can I still vote at the polling station?

If you have applied to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station. However, on election day you can return you postal vote to the polling station (before 10pm) or to electoral services during office hours. If you do not want to post it or it is too late to post it, contact electoral services to find out where your polling station is.