1. Who can apply to vote by post?
2. How can I apply to vote by post?
3. I’m unable to provide a consistent signature. Will this prevent me from having a postal vote?
4. For how long does a postal vote last?
5. Does the postal ballot pack have to be sent to my home address?
6. Do I need photo ID to vote by post?
7. What is the deadline for applications for a postal vote?
8. I’ve missed the deadline for applying for a postal vote. What can I do?
9. I’m a postal voter. When will my postal ballot pack arrive?
10. I’ve accidentally spoilt my postal ballot paper (or my postal voting statement). What can I do?
11. My postal vote still hasn’t arrived (or I’ve lost it). What can I do?
12. Can I hand deliver a postal vote?
13. What is the deadline for returning a postal vote?
14. If I have a postal vote, can I still vote in person at the polling station if I want to?
15. How do I change or cancel my postal vote?
16. I’m a postal voter but I’ve recently moved house or changed my name? What should I do?
1. Who can apply to vote by post?
Anyone who is (or has applied to be) registered to vote can apply to vote by post.
2. How can I apply to vote by post?
You can apply online for a postal vote.
You can also apply by completing a paper application form and posting or emailing it to the Elections Office. You can download the relevant form here.
If you can’t print the form, please contact the Elections Office and we will be happy to send you a copy in the post.
3. I’m unable to provide a consistent signature. Will this prevent me from having a postal vote?
When submitting a postal voting application, you will be asked to provide a signature. This signature will be compared with the signature you provide when you return a postal vote. If they don’t match, the postal vote will be rejected. Consequently it is important to consider whether you can provide a consistent signature.
If you can't provide a consistent signature, you can request a signature waiver. With a signature waiver, you would not have to provide a signature as part of your postal voting application or when you return a postal vote.
Please contact the Elections Office if would like to vote by post but are unable to provide a consistent signature.
4. For how long does a postal vote last?
You can apply to vote by post:
• for a single election;
• for a set period of time; or
• for a maximum period of up to three years.
The maximum period is calculated as the third 31 January after the approval of your postal voting application. Consequently if your postal voting application were approved on 31 March 2025, the maximum period would be up to 31 January 2028.
If you wanted your postal vote to continue beyond the maximum period, you would need to submit another application. We would send you a reminder when the expiry date was approaching.
5. Does the postal ballot pack have to be sent to my home address?
No. You can specify the address to which your postal ballot pack will be sent as part of your application.
Please note, however, that any address you give will be used for the duration of your postal voting arrangement (unless you advise otherwise). Consequently, if you intend to provide a holiday address, it would be better to submit a postal voting application for a single election rather than for the maximum period of up to three years.
6. Do I need photo ID to vote by post?
No.
7. What is the deadline for applications for a postal vote?
In order to take effect for the local government election for the Council of the Isles of Scilly on Thursday 1 May 2025, applications for a postal vote must be received by 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.
8. I’ve missed the deadline for applying for a postal vote. What can I do?
You can still apply for a proxy vote until 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
9. I’m a postal voter. When will my postal ballot pack arrive?
The main issue of postal ballot packs will be posted on Tuesday 15 April 2025.
10. I’ve accidentally spoilt my postal ballot paper (or my postal voting statement). What can I do?
You can get a replacement postal ballot pack from the Elections Office until 5pm on polling day. Do not destroy or throw away the original postal ballot pack. You will need to return it before you can get a replacement.
11. My postal vote still hasn’t arrived (or I’ve lost it). What can I do?
You can get a replacement postal ballot pack from the Elections Office from Friday 25 April 2025 until 5pm on polling day.
You will need to show proof of identity if you are collecting your replacement postal vote from us in person (rather than us sending it to you by post).
12. Can I hand deliver a postal vote?
You can hand deliver a postal vote but only to:
• a member of reception staff at the Council reception desks at St Mary's Library and Carn Gwaval during office hours in the lead up to polling day or on polling day itself; or
• a member of polling station staff at the polling station for the relevant island on polling day (e.g. a Bryher postal vote can be returned to the Bryher polling station but not to any other polling station).
When hand delivering a postal vote, you must complete a postal vote return form. The member of reception staff or polling station staff will provide you with this form. If you leave a postal vote without completing the form, the postal vote will be rejected.
You can only hand deliver your own postal vote plus a maximum of five for other electors at this election. If you are a political campaigner, the other electors must be close relatives or people for whom you provide regular care.
13. What is the deadline for returning a postal vote?
However a postal vote is returned, it must be received by us no later than 10pm on Thursday 1 May 2025.
If we receive a postal vote after that time, the ballot paper will not be counted.
14. If I have a postal vote, can I still vote in person at the polling station if I want to?
No. If you have a postal vote, you cannot be given another ballot paper at the polling station. If you want to vote in person at the polling station, you need to cancel your postal vote.
You can, however, hand deliver your postal vote to the polling station on your island (but not to the polling station on any other island) provided that you fill out the necessary form.
15. How do I change or cancel my postal vote?
Please contact the Elections Office if you would like to change or cancel your postal vote.
If you want to change or cancel your postal vote in time for the local government election for the Council of the Isles of Scilly on Thursday 1 May 2025, the deadline for doing so is 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.
16. I’m a postal voter but I’ve recently moved house or changed my name? What should I do?
Please refer to the relevant questions in the Registering to vote section of the FAQs.