As an alternative to voting in person at a polling station you can apply to vote by post. This may be because you will be on holiday on polling day, because you are in poor health, or simply because it is more convenient for you. You can apply for a postal vote at any time of the year and do not have to wait until an election.
Postal voting is another way of casting your vote during an election and is available to all registered electors on request. Instead of going to a polling station the ballot paper is sent direct to your address or another address if you give a valid reason.
Applying to vote by post
If you wish to vote by post, will need to complete an application form. On this form you will be asked to supply your signature and date of birth. These will act as your 'Personal Identifiers' and help prevent fraud.
For an application form contact Electoral Services on 01443 864203.
You can also request a form online. Unfortunately you cannot complete the request online because we need your signature for legal purposes. Simply give us your details and we will post you the form to complete, sign and return.
How does postal voting work?
A week or so before an election your postal ballot paper(s) will be sent to you, together with a postal vote statement. You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on the statement, complete your vote in the normal way by marking a cross and return the statement and ballot paper(s) in the pre paid envelope provided. Your date of birth and signature will be matched against the details previously supplied on your application form to prevent fraud and to protect your vote.
If there is a genuine reason why you cannot provide your normal signature you may be granted a waiver but you will still need to supply your date of birth.
If you decide to register as a postal voter you cannot, under any circumstances, vote in person at a polling station. However, you can hand deliver your postal vote to the polling station on polling day.
Postal votes can be sent to an address outside of the UK, but you should bear in mind the length of time taken to delivery and return your voting papers in time for the election.
Further information
If you would like further information about postal votes call our Electoral Services helpline on 01443 864203 or email electoralservices@caerphilly.gov.uk.