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 my postal vote to the Council reception desks or to the polling station?
13. What is the deadline for returning my 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 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 Electoral Services. You can download the relevant form here.
If you can’t print the form, please contact Electoral Services and we will be happy to send you a copy in the post.
When submitting your application, you will be asked to provide a signature. Please bear in mind that this signature will be compared with the signature you provide when returning a postal vote. If they don’t match, the postal vote will be rejected. Consequently it is important to make sure that you can provide a consistent signature.
3. I’m unable to provide a consistent signature. Will this prevent me from having a postal vote?
If you cannot 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 application or when returning a postal vote.
Please contact Electoral Services 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 30 June 2024, the maximum period would be up to 31 January 2027.
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 UK Parliamentary general election on Thursday 4 July 2024, applications for a postal vote must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
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 26 June 2024.
9. I’m a postal voter. When will my postal ballot pack arrive?
The first issue of postal ballot packs will be posted around Friday 21 June 2024.
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 Electoral Services 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 Electoral Services from Friday 28 June 2024 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 my postal vote to the Council reception desks or to the polling station?
You can hand deliver your postal vote:
• to the Council reception desks at the Library and Carn Gwaval during office hours in the lead up to polling day or on polling day itself; or
• to any polling station in the St Ives constituency on polling day.
Please be aware, however, there are new rules regarding the hand delivery of postal votes. From now on:
• you need to complete a form when hand delivering a postal vote;
• you can only hand deliver your own postal vote and those of up to five other people; and
• if you are a campaigner, you can only hand deliver your own postal vote and those of close relatives.
When hand delivering a postal vote, you will be asked by the reception staff or polling station staff to complete the necessary form. If you leave your postal vote without completing the form, your postal vote will be rejected.
13. What is the deadline for returning my postal vote?
Postal votes have to be received by us (either through the post or by hand delivery) by the close of poll at 10pm on polling day. If we receive your postal vote after that time, your vote 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.
But you can hand deliver your postal vote to the polling station provided that you fill out the necessary form.
If you want to vote in person at the polling station, you need to cancel your postal vote.
15. How do I change or cancel my postal vote?
Please contact Electoral Services 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 UK Parliamentary general election on Thursday 4 May 2024, the deadline for doing so is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
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.