How to vote

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Voting by post

You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example if:

  • you’re away from home
  • you’re abroad and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales

You do not need to give a reason unless you’re voting in Northern Ireland.

You can no longer apply for a postal vote for the local elections in England on 1 May 2025. You can still apply for a postal vote for use in future elections and referendums.

Apply for a postal vote

You can apply for a postal vote for one of the following:

  • a single election on a specific date
  • a specific period if you want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales
  • up to 3 years

You can:

There’s a different form if you’re applying for a postal vote in Northern Ireland.

After you apply, you’ll be sent a postal vote ballot pack containing a ballot paper and a postal voting statement.

Change where your postal vote ballot pack is sent

Make a new application for a postal vote if you move house or you’ll be away from home when the postal vote ballot pack is sent out. 

There’s a different form if you’re applying for a postal vote in Northern Ireland.

Completing and returning your postal vote ballot pack

When voting by post, you should:

  • mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret  
  • fill in the postal voting statement
  • put the ballot paper and postal voting statement in the envelope provided
  • seal the envelope yourself

Return your completed postal vote ballot pack as quickly as possible to make sure your postal vote is counted.

If you’re too late to return your postal vote ballot pack by post

In England and Wales

Take your ballot paper and postal voting statement to your polling station by 10pm on election day or to your electoral registration office before it closes.

Your vote will be rejected if you do not give your ballot paper to a member of staff at the polling station or electoral registration office and complete a form. 

Do not post your ballot paper through the letterbox of the electoral registration office.

You can hand in:

  • your own completed postal vote ballot pack
  • completed postal vote ballot packs for up to 5 other voters

If you’re a political campaigner, the 5 other voters must be family members or people you provide regular care for.

In Scotland

Return your completed postal vote ballot pack to the returning officer at your council before it closes. Find your council.

In Northern Ireland

If you’re voting in Northern Ireland, you can only hand in your completed postal vote ballot pack at an electoral registration office.

Replace a lost or damaged ballot paper

Your ballot paper needs to clearly display your details and voting choice. If it has been damaged, you’ll need to get another one.

You can either:

You cannot vote at a polling station if you registered to vote by post but your ballot paper was then lost or damaged.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

    1. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

    Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact your electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. You are currently viewing: Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. You are currently viewing: Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else