Voting by post

• What is postal voting?
• How do I apply for a postal vote?
• How long can I have a postal vote for?
• What should I do if I need new postal ballot papers?
• What if I am on holiday or away from home when ballot papers are sent out?
• The ballot paper isn’t addressed to me - should I fill it in anyway?
• Can I let someone else fill in my ballot paper?
• When is the closing date?
• I’ve left it too late to post my ballot papers. What do I do now?
• Is postal voting safe, secure and secret?

What is postal voting?

If you are unable to vote in person you can apply for a postal vote. You may wish to use a postal vote for a number of reasons:

• If your work or study regularly takes you away from home
• Because you will be on holiday on polling day
• Because you are in poor health
• Simply because it is more convenient for you

You can apply for a postal vote at any time of the year, you do not have to wait until the election.

How do I apply for a postal vote?

If you would like to vote by post, you can contact the elections office and we will post you an application form,or you can download it below. A separate form is required for each person applying for a postal vote. The document must be printed single-sided and with no scaling (i.e. original size not 'fit to paper' or 'shrink large pages').

Once completed and signed, please return your form(s) to the address below.

Please note: we are unable to process forms electronically because a signature is required for legal purposes

If you do not have a postal vote and would like to vote by post at election time your application must be received by the elections office no later than 11 working days prior to the election date.

How long can I have a postal vote for?

It can be for the next election, a fixed period of time, say six months or one year, or a maximum of five years. If you choose five years then we will write to you at the end of that period to allow you to renew your application. If you move house your postal vote will be cancelled and you will need to complete a new application form. To cancel a postal voting arrangement at any other time, you will need to write to us at the address stated at the foot of the page.

What should I do if I need new postal ballot papers?

If you have not received, have lost, or have spoilt your ballot papers, contact the elections office as soon as possible.

They will post a new set of papers out to you, or arrange a time for you to come and collect them from the civic centre in Swinton.

If you are collecting new ballot papers in person you will need to bring identification with you. The form of identification should preferably include a photograph of you, and therefore the two most secure examples are:

• full valid current passport
• photocard driving licence  

Other documents which may be acceptable as long as they have a sealed photograph are:

• local bus pass
• student card issued by a recognised higher education body
• identity card issued by a recognised local employer

If you are unable to produce any of the above, then one of the following must be produced:

• full driving licence (without photograph)
• two recent utility bills (not mobile phone)

What if I am on holiday or away from home when ballot papers are sent out?

If you will not be at your address for the election, your postal vote can be sent direct to an alternative address of your choice. Postal votes can be sent to an address outside of the UK, but you should bear in mind the length of time taken for post to travel in either direction. Once completed and signed, please return your form to the Elections Office, Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA.

The ballot paper isn’t addressed to me - should I fill it in anyway?

No. Ballot papers must only be completed by the person it is addressed to. It is an offence to complete someone else’s ballot paper. You should return it to the elections office as soon as possible.

Can I let someone else fill in my ballot paper?

No, this is a secret ballot. Do not show anyone who you have voted for.

When is the closing date?

The Returning Officer must receive your ballot papers by close of polls (usually 10.00pm) on the day of the election. Make sure you post your vote in good time.

I've left it too late to post my ballot papers. What do I do now?

You can return your completed and sealed postal ballot paper in person to any polling station in Salford within the polling hours on election day (usually 7.00am to 10.00pm).

Is postal voting safe, secure and secret?

Postal voting is safe, secure and secret. You can help keep it this way by completing your ballot papers yourself, not showing them to anyone else and by posting your vote yourself as early as possible.

The Returning Officer is required to seal the corresponding number lists of all ballot papers issued to postal voters immediately after they have been issued, in the same way as those issued at polling stations.

In addition, at the opening of postal votes, the postal voting statements are removed after the first stage of the opening and before the ballot paper envelopes are opened, which means that the persons present cannot identify how a specific individual has voted.

After the count, all votes, corresponding number lists and other paperwork are sealed again and they can only be opened by order of a court in the event of an election petition. They are held in secure storage for 12 months and then destroyed.

All persons attending at the issue or receipt of postal ballot papers must abide by the Requirement of Secrecy laid down by Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Who to contact

Name

Sara Rushton

Address

Elections Office
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5DA
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 793 3195

Email

elections@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 4 May 2011