Vote by post
Apply for a postal vote
You can apply online for a postal vote. You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.
The deadline to apply to vote by post in the next election is 5pm Wednesday 17 April.
You will need your national insurance number and a signature to prove your identity.
You will need to reapply for a postal vote every three years.
If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver.
You might be asked for extra documents to identify you.
You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for 3 years.
About your postal vote
Postal votes can be sent anywhere, either inside or outside the United Kingdom.
If the address is outside the UK, it will take longer to reach you. It will also take longer for your ballot papers to be returned.
If you move house, you must tell us, or you may lose your postal vote.
Before the election you will be sent a polling card which will state you are a postal voter.
When your ballot paper postal pack arrives, it will contain your ballot paper, a ballot paper envelope, a postal voting statement and a return envelope.
Please ensure that the statement is completed with your signature and date of birth. If this is not filled in correctly your vote will not be valid.
When you return your postal vote
Take it to the Royal Mail post box yourself.
If you can't do that, give it to somebody you know personally and trust to post it for you.
If you’re too late you can hand it in at Nelson Town Hall, or your local polling station by 10pm on Election Day. You will need to complete a form or your vote will be rejected.
Please note, you can now only hand in five plus your own postal vote ballot pack.
For more information see Electoral Commission Voting by post.