Apply for a postal and proxy vote page
Vosting by post
Voting by post allows you to vote at home without needing to visit a polling station. Before each election we will send your ballot paper to you in the post with a form to complete with your date of birth and signature.
Apply for a postal vote online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
You will need to supply a photo of your signature written in ink. Do not supply an electronically signed version of your signature, your postal vote may be rejected at the next election if an electronic signature is supplied. You will need your National Insurance number to hand to complete the process.
You can also apply to vote by post on a paper application form. If possible, please send your paper application form via email to
The deadline to apply to vote by post is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.
The Government has changed the postal vote application process and the identity of each voter is now checked when registering to vote and again when applying for a postal vote. Due to these changes, you may be asked to supply evidence of your identity, such as a driving licence or passport, when you apply for a postal vote. Existing postal voters will not be subject to an identity check until January 2026.
Renewing your postal voting arrangements
Postal voters are now required to renew their postal vote application every three years. We are contacting all affected postal voters by post, email, and phone to ask them to re-apply for their postal vote.
The quickest and easiest way to renew is online at GOV.UK - Apply Postal Vote
Paper application forms will automatically be sent to all electors who do not renew their postal vote online, but a form can also be requested by calling 01684 862200.
If you applied for a postal vote before 31 January 2024, but do not renew your postal vote before 31 January 2026, your postal vote will be cancelled. You will only be able to vote at a polling station unless you apply again for a postal vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote before an election is 5pm, 11 working days before poll.
Proxy voting
If you cannot make it to a polling station on polling day then you can send someone else to vote on your behalf. This is called voting by proxy.
You can register for a one-off proxy vote online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. You can also apply using a paper application form - pdf Proxy Particular 2023 form (107 KB) .
To apply for permanent proxy vote (on grounds of employment, education or disability), please complete a permanent Proxy Vote Application form.
The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm, 6 working days before poll. However, in some circumstances emergency proxy voting is also available. Further information about voting by emergency proxy, including application forms. Download application forms from the Electoral Commission website. Please contact us for further information and guidance about voting by Emergency Proxy.
If possible, please send your form via email to