On this page you can find the answers to frequently asked questions about voting by post at an election or referendum.
How do I get a postal vote for a UK election?
You can download a postal vote application form from this website.
Download a form to apply to vote by post (PDF).
Fill it in and return it to your local electoral registration office.
In Northern Ireland, visit the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.
Who can apply for a postal vote for a UK election?
In 2014 the way we register to vote in England, Scotland and Wales changed, and if you want to vote by post or by proxy you must be registered under the new system.
To check if you're correctly registered, contact the local authority of the address you are registered to. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
In Northern Ireland, visit the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.
How secure is a postal vote for a UK election?
When you apply for a postal vote, you need to provide your signature and date of birth on the form. When you complete your postal voting statement you provide this information again. The signature and date of birth on your postal voting statement are checked against those on your application to prevent fraud.
Your personal information is separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at and counted, so the secrecy of your vote is not affected.
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.
Do I need to register to vote if I am applying for a postal vote?
In England, Scotland and Wales only electors who are (or will be) registered individually are entitled to apply to vote by post.
Contact your electoral registration officer or visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters for more information.
To find the contact details for your local electoral registration office, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
In Northern Ireland, visit the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.
For what period does my postal vote last?
You can apply for just one election or referendum, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.
When can I expect to receive my postal vote for a UK election?
The Returning Officer (who is the person responsible for conducting the poll) issues postal votes, so you should contact the elections office at your local authority.
As a guide, they cannot be issued until all candidates are nominated (the deadline for this is usually 4pm 19 working days before the poll). Ballot papers then need to be printed and postal ballot packs produced. This means that in practice postal votes may not be issued until much closer to polling day.
To find out when your postal ballot papers will arrive contact your local elections office. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
Why do I need to give my date of birth and signature to get a postal vote?
All postal and proxy voters are required to give their date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote.
When you return your postal voting pack, your signature and date of birth are checked against those on your application to confirm your identity.
Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.
For those who are unable to sign their form, or are unable to sign it in a consistent way, special provision can be made. For more information please contact your local Electoral Registration Officer. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
Why haven't I received my postal ballot paper?
You should receive your postal ballot about one week before the election. To check when they are being sent out in your area contact the electoral services at your local authority.
If it doesn't arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from your Returning Officer before 5pm on election day. To find the contact details for your local electoral registration office, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
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 polling day you can return your postal vote to the polling station (before 10pm) or to the Returning Officer at your local council (before they close) if you do not want to post it or it is too late to post it.
Contact the Returning Officer at your local council to find out where your polling station is. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
I've spoiled my ballot paper or postal voting statement. What do I do?
You can get a replacement up until 5pm on polling day. You must pick it up in person from your Returning Officer.
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 your Returning Officer up until 5pm on polling day.
How do I cancel an existing postal vote for a UK election?
To cancel your postal vote you need to contact your local electoral registration officer. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
I'm living outside the UK – which address should I include on my postal vote application form?
You will need to include the address where you were last registered to vote in the UK. There is a section on the form for your correspondence address – you can include your overseas address in this section.
Can I return my postal vote forms to my local electoral authority electronically?
If you need to return a paper form to your local authority, such as for a postal or proxy vote application, it is possible they will accept a scan or fax of a completed and signed form. However, you should contact your local electoral registration office first to check if they will accept a form in this way. To find their contact details, enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' section of our homepage.
