Elections - Absent Votes

Postal Votes are available to residents on the electoral roll, either as a one-off, for a set period of time, or permanently. You will need to complete an application form (available to download below or to collect from the Council offices) stating where you would like the ballot paper to be sent. New Regulations now require applicants to supply a date of birth and current signature to help prevent fraudulent claims. If you are unable to supply this or have any other questions please contact the office on 01962 848154, 848147 or 848192.

Applications need to be received by 5pm eleven working days before the election ie: for the elections due to be held on 1 May 2008 applications will need to be made by no later than 5pm on Wednesday 16 April 2008. The ballot papers are normally sent out a week before polling day and must be returned promptly (by post or hand) to arrive on or before close of poll (10pm) on polling day.

Proxy votes (where someone else votes on your behalf) are also available as an option if you are unable to vote yourself.

You can only apply for a long-term proxy vote if you have a specific reason such as a disability or being overseas; these applications also require attestation to validate the application. If you have a long term illness or disability which makes it difficult for you to vote in person or by post, your application must be supported by one of the following; either a registered medical practitioner, a registered nurse, a registered dentist, a registered dispensing optician or optometrist, a registered chiropractor, a person registered under the Health Professions Order 2001 or a Christian Science practitioner. If you are in a residential home or sheltered housing, the matron, home care director or warden may support your application. If your job or educational course, or that of your spouse, takes you away from home for long periods (e.g. travelling salesman, long distance lorry driver), your application must be supported by either your employer or your spouse's employer. In the case of a study course then by the institution holding the course. If you are self-employed your supporter must be 18 or over, know you and must not be related to you. Your application DOES NOT have to be supported by someone else if you are registered Blind or in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Allowance, however you must give the relevant number.

You can apply for a proxy for just one election, but you must give a specific reason, for example you will be on holiday or away due to work and these applications do not need any attestation. If you are suddenly incapacitated or taken ill, you can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until 5pm on polling day. Please contact the Electoral Services Unit if you require an emergency proxy.

The person you select as proxy must be legally entitled and willing to vote for you and will be sent a 'proxy paper' which allows them to vote on your behalf at the polling station on election day. Alternatively, they may vote by post if desired.

As with postal votes, new Regulations now require applicants for a proxy vote to supply a date of birth and current signature to help prevent fraudulent claims. If you are unable to supply this or have any other questions please contact the office on 01962 848154, 848147 or 848192. Completed application forms must be received six working days before election day.

If you already have a postal or proxy vote and wish to make any changes, these must be received eleven working days before an election.

Downloads:

File format	File title	File size / Download time
	Postal Vote Form	280K 56Kbps Modem: 41 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second
	Permanent Proxy Vote Form	80K 56Kbps Modem: 12 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second
	Proxy Vote form for a Particular Election	51K 56Kbps Modem: 7 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second