Postal and proxy voting

If you think you will be unable to get to the polling station to vote on the day of an election you can apply to vote by post or appoint a proxy. A proxy is someone to vote for you on your behalf.

What is a postal vote?

A postal vote means that the ballot paper (voting paper) is posted to your address on the electoral register (or your proxy if they have requested a postal vote) between 11 and 5 days before polling day.

You can them mark the ballot paper in the privacy of your home, at a time that suits you, complete an accompanying declaration and return them both. The ballot paper goes inside one envelope and is sealed. This sealed envelope, along with the completed declaration form go together inside the larger envelope and this is then sent (by Royal mail) to the Returning Officer or you may hand deliver it to a polling station on polling day.

This service is free and all postage costs are paid for you.

How do I get a postal vote?

You will need to complete an application form for a postal vote and return it to council’s Election Office before 5pm on the 11th working day before the election date. We will send out your postal vote as soon as practical after then.

The ballot paper you receive through the post will be exactly the same as the one that you would have been given if you were going to vote in person. However, you will also receive a Declaration of Identity which must be completed to include your signature and the address and signature of a witness. However, this does not mean the witness has to watch you completing the ballot paper itself. The witness is only required to verify that you are the person completing the ballot paper.

Both the ballot paper and the Declaration of Identity have to be returned in the envelopes provided. For your vote to count they must be returned by the close of poll (9pm or 10pm depending on which election is taking place and the actual date of the election).

Important notes for postal votes

Remember to allow a clear day before Election Day for posting with Royal Mail, (e.g. if Election day is a Thursday, don’t post it any later than the Tuesday) so that they have time to deliver it. Don’t leave posting it until the day before Election Day or Election Day itself because it won’t reach the Returning Officer in time.
If you have forgotten to post in by Royal Mail in time, then you can always hand deliver it to your polling station before the close of voting.
When applying for a postal vote, you can choose where your ballot paper is sent. Even if you are out of the country it will be sent to you at the address you give on the form.
If you change your mind about your postal voting arrangements you will need to tell us at least 11 working days before Election Day.

What is a proxy vote?

Electors can choose to appoint somebody else to vote on their behalf. This person is known as a 'Proxy'. If you would like to do this, you should choose somebody that you know or trust sufficiently to vote on your behalf.

A person can only be appointed as a proxy for a maximum of two non-family members, though there is no limit on the number of relatives he or she can be Proxy for. The Proxy must be able to vote at the kind of elections at which you are voting by proxy.

How do I get to use a proxy?

To appoint someone as a proxy you need to complete an application for a proxy vote form. The person you appointed as your Proxy will be sent a letter telling them to go to your polling station on Election Day to vote on your behalf. He or she does not have to take the letter or any proof of identity to the polling station. He or she should go to the polling staff and explain that they are a Proxy, and give their own and the elector's details. He or she is given your ballot paper to vote in the normal way.

If you have appointed a Proxy but find on polling day that you want to vote at your polling station, you can do so, but only if your Proxy hasn't already voted on your behalf.

Can my proxy also arrange to vote by post?

Yes. Your proxy can apply to use the post to vote for you. Your Proxy will be sent your ballot paper together with a special declaration of identity (see postal voting above). If they have this 'postal proxy' arrangement, you will not be entitled to vote personally on polling day.

Contact us

The Electoral Services Office
Darwall St
Walsall
WS1 1TH
Telephone 01922 652030 (from outside the UK +44 1922 652030)
Fax 01922 652040
Email allsopp@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 24 January 2012