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Postal voting

Voting by post is a quick, easy and secure alternative to voting at a polling station. Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote, you do not need a reason to vote by post.

What will I need to provide?

You must provide us with your:

  • date of birth
  • signature
  • national insurance number
These are checked against the completed postal vote pack at an election to keep your vote secure. 

Once registered to vote by post, you will receive a postal vote pack containing your ballot papers(s) for the next election.

How to apply

  1. Apply online at GOV.UK - ensure you provide your national insurance number to avoid delays/rejection
  2. Download an application to submit electronically or post it to us
    • Send us a good quality scanned attachment with a clear signature to postal.voting@leicester.gov.uk. Digital signatures will be rejected.
    • Post it to: Electoral Services, Leicester City Council, City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

When will I receive my postal vote pack?

You will receive your postal vote pack around a week before polling day for an election. Once you receive your pack, you just mark the ballot papers(s), complete the postal vote pack and return it to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.

For overseas electors who are already registered, the postal vote pack was sent out on or around 12 June.

What if I'm going on holiday before my vote is likely to arrive?

If you applied for a postal vote and don’t think you’ll be home to return it by post, you can drop your completed postal vote pack in to your polling station or to City Hall, 115 Charles Street, LE1 1FZ on 4 July between 7am and 10pm. You must complete a form when you hand it in.

Or if you won’t be back in time to use your postal vote, you can instead appoint someone you trust as a proxy to vote on your behalf. You will need to:

  • cancel your postal vote by 5pm on 19 June. This will happen automatically when you appoint a proxy, but you can contact us on 0116 454 2010 to talk about other options to cancel.
  • make a proxy application by 5pm on 26 June.
  • The person you appoint as a proxy must:
    • be a registered parliamentary elector who can vote in this election.
    • only be a proxy for up to two electors living in the UK, plus up to two people living abroad, or up to four people living abroad.
  • Your proxy can:
    • vote in person on your behalf at your polling station. They will have to show their own accepted form of photo ID to be able to vote or
    • vote by post for you but must apply for a proxy postal vote by 5pm on 19 June.

Get in touch

If you have any questions regarding completing the postal vote application form or voting by post, please email postal.voting@leicester.gov.uk