Postal voting is available upon demand and the forms can be downloaded
from this website or alternatively you can request copies to be posted to you. If you are unable
to get to the polling station in person, you may apply for a postal vote.Alternatively, you may wish to apply for a proxy vote, but for these
applications there must be a legally valid reason as to why this method of voting is required and will
require evidence.The deadline, for us to receive absent voting applications and amendments
to existing arrangements is 5pm, 11 days before Polling day.General information about postal voting Postal votes are available upon request, meaning any elector who wants
a postal vote can have one. The elector can apply for a postal vote on a permanent or temporary basis.
If the voter chooses to vote by post, a ballot paper will be sent to the address given on the application,
including addresses outside the U.K. Postal votes are sent out by 1st class post, on a regular basis starting
10 working days before polling day and contains the:
ballot paper;
postal vote statement (which must be witnessed by someone who knows them);
ballot paper envelope;
return envelope.
Once the
postal vote is received it is important to check all the contents and read the instructions on the back
of the postal vote statement. A mark should be made (traditionally an X) against the Candidate/Party
of the electors choice, then the ballot paper must be folded and placed into the ballot paper envelope.
The postal vote statement must also be completed and then put into the return envelope along with the
ballot paper envelope. The envelope must be received back by Election Staff before the polls
close on polling day. It can either be posted back, hand delivered to the Council Offices or handed
in at a Polling Station in the same area - but must be received by the time the Poll closes. If a voter spoils their ballot paper, it may be returned to the Returning
Officer at the Council Offices and a replacement paper can be issued. However the deadline for receipt
of the completed ballot paper is still by the close of poll on polling day. If the voter chooses to vote by post, but then realises he/she is able
to get to the polling station to vote in person, they will not be allowed in person to vote at the polling
station. If they wish to use their vote they must vote using the postal ballot paper sent to them. Back to topGeneral information about proxy
voting An elector may choose to appoint a proxy. This means that they need
to appoint someone to vote on their behalf. This person must be:
willing to vote on their behalf
a British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen
legally allowed to vote in this Country
An
elector can only act as a proxy for two people to whom they are not directly related. However they can
be a proxy for any number of electors if they are directly related to those electors. If the elector
wishes to appoint someone who is unable to get to the polling station to vote in person, the proxy may
apply to vote by post as a proxy and may obtain the relevant form from any Electoral Office. When the proxy appointment has been approved both the elector and proxy
will be sent confirmation that he/she is the elector's proxy and at which elections he/she can cast
their vote. About one week before polling day the proxy will be sent a proxy polling
card, which will confirm when polling day is, where the polling station is and it's opening hours. It
will show his/her name and address and the elector's name. It also gives details of the procedure to
follow when casting a proxy vote. If the proxy has applied to vote by post as proxy, he/she will be
sent the ballot paper about 10 days before polling day. On receipt the proxy completes the postal ballot
as detailed above. If the elector appointed a proxy but then is able to get to the polling
station to vote in person, the elector will be allowed to vote as long as their proxy has not already
cast their vote. However, if the proxy has applied to vote by post because he/she is unable to get to
the polling station in person, the elector will not be allowed to vote in person as their vote will
have been cast using the postal ballot paper sent to their proxy. Back to topTypes of application Postal Vote applicationAll electors wishing to vote by post should complete the Postal Vote
Application form. The form is quite simple and the elector must fill in all sections of the form. The
applicant has the opportunity to choose the length of time they want to have a postal vote for. For
example one person may only want to receive a postal vote for a particular election, whilst another
elector may decide that they want to receive a postal vote for all elections on a permanent basis. Proxy Vote aplication Those electors who want to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf must
complete one of the two following forms. For a Definite or Indefinite PeriodThis form is a little more complex in that you can apply on various
grounds, most of which will require someone to support your application. Sections one to five are straightforward enough, but section six needs
a little more thought. This section is broken down into seven subsections. Each applicant will need
to complete the appropriate sub section. Subsection A - Physical IncapacityYou would complete this subsection if you have a particular disability
which deters you from getting to the polling station in person. This subsection will need to be signed
by your Doctor, Nurse or Christian Science Practitioner.Back to topSubsection B - Living in a Residential Care Home or Sheltered
Housing AccommodationThis subsection is self explanatory. It would need to be signed by the
warden of the housing development.Subsection C - Blind PersonThis subsection does not need to be signed by someone supporting your
application, but does need to state which Authority you are registered with.Subsection D - In receipt of the Higher Rate of the Mobility
Component of the Disability Living AllowanceThis subsection does not need to be signed by someone supporting your
application, but does need to state what physical incapacity you suffer from to receive this allowance.Subsection E - Employment or Attending a CourseThis subsection is intended for electors whose work often takes them
away from home or students who are away at college for example. Depending on the reason for applying
this subsection must be signed by the applicants employer or course tutor.Subsection F - Self-EmployedThis subsection is intended for electors whose work often takes them
away from home but who are self-employed and therefore have no employer to support their application.
It must be signed by an elector who knows the applicant but is not related to them.Back to topSubsection G - Journey necessary by Air or SeaThis subsection is intended for electors who would have to travel a
substantial distance by air or sea to get to their polling station and does not require a signature
in support of the application.Acknowledgments will be sent to the applicant and the proxy when the
application has been accepted. It will last for the period specified on the application, until cancelled
by the elector or until the elector's name is removed from the Electoral Register. We may periodically
check whether you still require this arrangement.For a Particular Election onlyThis application could be completed if the elector would normally be
able to vote in person, but on this occasion are unable because they are for example, away on holiday,
visiting a relative, ill, in hospital, working in a polling station or are simply called away on business.
The form must be completed by the elector and give the reason why they
are not able to attend in person before they sign it and return the form to us. An acknowledgement will be sent when the application has been accepted.
As soon as the election is over the arrangement will be cancelled. Unless there are two elections held
on the same day, it is necessary to apply on separate applications each time an election is called.Application tovote by proxy
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