UK General Election postal votes: How can I register to vote by post and when is the deadline

Hatty Collier19 May 2017
WEST END FINAL

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Time is already running out to apply for a postal vote ahead of the snap General Election on June 8.

Voters who wish to submit their ballot by post have less than three weeks left to submit their application.

Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to post their ballot if they cannot or do not wish to attend their polling station on the day of the election.

Here’s what you need to know about postal voting.

Postal votes

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can choose to vote by post in the General Election if you cannot or do not wish to attend your polling station in person on June 8.

Anyone who is registered to vote can apply by post.

It is a good option for people whose schedules could change at the last minute and who might otherwise find themselves unable to get to their nearest polling station.

Voting by post is also a useful option for people who might be out of the country or away on holiday on the day of the election.

People living in Northern Ireland can also vote by post but different rules and a separate form apply and can be found here. You must prove a valid reason why you want to vote by post in Northern Ireland.

When is the deadline?

For England, Scotland and Wales, the deadline to apply to vote by post is Tuesday May 23.

How can I get a postal vote?

To get a postal vote, you need to print, fill in and sign this postal application form.

Once it is completed, you must return it to your local electoral registration office. You can find the address for your local electoral registration office here.

It is also possible to scan and send your form back to your local authority via email. Details can be found on your local council’s website.

When will I receive by voting papers and where can they be delivered to?

A postal vote can be sent to your home address or any other address you provide, including overseas.

If you have your postal vote sent overseas, you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper so it arrives back by 10pm on polling day.

Postal voting papers are usually delivered about 10 days before the election.

What happens next?

Complete your ballot paper in secret and put it in the envelope supplied and make sure it’s sealed tight. The accompanying postal voting statement must also be filled out and signed.

Both items must be posted back to your local electoral registration office so that your vote arrives back by 10pm on polling day.

If you’re too late to post your ballot paper back, you can hand it in to your local electoral registration office or take it to your local polling station on the day of the election.

What happens if I don’t receive my ballot paper?

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office if you spoil or lose your postal ballot paper. You can get a replacement up to 5pm on polling day.

If you spoiled your ballot paper, take it with you.

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