The General Election is fast-approaching with the big vote taking place on Thursday 12 December.
While some have begun to receive their polling cards already, it’s not too late to register to vote. Go to the Register to Vote page on gov.uk and click the ‘Start Now’ button. You’ll need your National Insurance number and you can choose how you’d like to vote on the form, including the option to have a postal vote.
A postal vote is for those who may be away from home – within the country or abroad – on the day of the poll, and would like to vote.
Who can apply for a postal vote?
All eligible voters can apply for a postal vote for elections and referendums, and you can download the forms on the gov.uk website.
Those applying can specify postal vote for a single election or choose to for a certain period of time, or permanently.
A ballot paper and postal voting statement will then be sent to you in the post and included with it will be a Freepost return envelope.
However, if you’re voting from abroad, you may have to pay for postage.
Postal votes can be sent to UK addresses and abroad.
When is the application deadline for postal votes?
Voters have 11 working days before the general election date to apply for a postal vote in England, Scotland and Wales. In this case, until 5pm on Tuesday 26 November 2019.
If you are not already registered to vote, your application must reach your electoral registration office 12 working days before the general election date – in this case by Monday 25 November.
How to vote via a postal vote?
Voters should mark their choice on their ballot paper in secret and then fill in the postal voting statement. Both papers should be put in the provided envelope and posted as quickly as possible to ensure it’s counted.
Postal votes must arrive at your Electoral Office by 10pm on 12 December.
If you’re too late in posting your ballot paper, you can take it to your Electoral Office yourself, or drop it off at your local polling station by 10pm.