Voting by post

Who can apply for a postal vote?

Anyone registered to vote. You do not need a reason to vote by post.

If you are unable to get to your polling station on election day, you can vote by post on a temporary or permanent basis. You will receive your ballot paper by post approximately two weeks before the election day.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the Blackbrook by-election on 12 December 2024 is 5pm on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

We would recommend that any elector who is going on holiday from Saturday 30 November 2024 and will not return before Thursday 12 December 2024, should make an application to appoint another person as a proxy, you can apply online at gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. The deadline to make a proxy application is 5pm on Wednesday 4 December 2024.  The person appointed as a proxy, must be registered to vote and they will need to show their (the proxy not the elector) Photo ID before they are issued with a ballot paper.

How can I apply for a postal vote?

You can now apply online for a postal vote. You will need to provide the following information when completing your application:

• the address where you are registered to vote
• your National Insurance number or other identity documents, for example a passport
• the specific date of the election or referendum you want to make a postal vote, if you only want a one off postal vote

You'll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

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 within the service.

You might be asked for extra documents to identify you.

If you cannot apply online and would like a paper application form posted to you, please contact the Electoral Services staff on the contact details below or alternatively you can download a postal vote application form (PDF) [147KB] (opens new window).

Please return your completed paper application form to the address below or email a clear scanned copy to elections@sthelens.gov.uk

Where can I get my postal vote sent to?

You can have your postal vote sent to your home address or any other address, even overseas. If the address given is not your home address you must give a reason why you want the postal vote sending elsewhere. Postal voters overseas must have enough time to receive and return the ballot paper by election day.  

When you receive your postal vote pack

When you receive your postal vote pack this will contain your ballot paper(s) and a postal vote statement on which you will need to provide your date of birth and signature.  

• Sign the security statement and enter your date of birth
• Complete your ballot paper in secret, on your own
• Don't let anyone else vote for you
• Don't let anyone else see your vote
• Don't give the ballot paper to anyone else
• Put the ballot paper in the envelope and seal it up yourself

Returning your postal vote

• Return your postal vote by Royal Mail. Take it to the post box yourself or give it to somebody you trust to post it for you.
• Hand Delivered to the Town Hall or Polling Station - If you return your postal vote by hand you will need to complete a Postal Vote Return Form at your drop off point.  The form records details including your name and address, how many postal vote packs are being handed in and the reason for handing in other people's postal votes.   You can hand deliver no more than FIVE plus your own postal votes.  One of our reception team or polling station staff will be able to help you complete the form when you arrive.
• DO NOT leave your postal vote in any Council Office post boxes or unattended reception points
• DO NOT hand it to a candidate or campaigner
• DO NOT leave it where someone else can pick it up

If the postal vote return form is not completed with all the required information the postal vote(s) will be rejected.

Postal votes will not be accepted if they are left at a polling station without completing the postal vote return form, the 'left behind' postal votes will be rejected.

You must return your ballot paper by 10 pm on the day of the election, or your vote will not be counted.

For your postal vote to be accepted and counted, you must either return your postal pack via Royal Mail or hand it directly to the Town Hall Reception staff (or a nearby Polling Station on polling day) and complete a postal vote return form.

This is your vote

If anyone tries to help you against your will, or force you to give them your postal vote, you should contact the police.

If you have any questions or would like a postal vote application form please contact us, using the contact details below: