Voting by post

If you are over 18 and have registered to vote[external link], you can apply for a postal vote. You do not need a reason to vote by post, however you may find it easier to vote by post if you have difficulty getting to the polling station on the day of an election, or work away from home.  

How can I apply for a postal vote?

You can apply online through GOV.UK website 

Apply for a postal vote

Alternatively, you can download, print and complete an application to vote by post [external link], request a form from the Elections Office or apply in person by contacting the helpline on 01325 406444 or e-mailing [email protected] Completed forms to be returned to the Elections Office, Darlington Borough Council, Town Hall, Darlington, DL1 5QT.

You will need to provide your date of birth, national insurance number and signature to apply.  You will also need to provide your date of birth and signature on the postal vote.  This helps to ensure the security of your vote and is used to tackle electoral fraud.

A postal vote can be sent to your home address, or to any other address that you give. Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your postal vote by election day.

A new application to vote by post must be completed and returned to the office no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election you want to vote for.

Applications to vote by post must be renewed every three years.  You will be contacted when your postal vote is about to expire and requested to re-apply.  If you do not re-apply your postal vote will be cancelled.

When will I receive my postal vote?

Postal votes are usually sent out about a week before election day. When you receive your postal vote put the paperwork somewhere safe, don't let anyone else handle your voting papers, and make sure they are not left where someone else can pick them up.

When you want to vote:

Once you have decided who you wish to vote for:

• complete the ballot paper on your own
• don't let anyone else vote for you
• don't let anyone else see your vote
• don't give the ballot paper to anyone else
• put the ballot paper in the smaller envelope and seal it up yourself
• complete and sign the postal voting statement
• put the postal voting statement and the smaller envelope containing your ballot paper into the larger envelope and seal it.

Postal votes should be returned by close of poll on the day of an election (usually 10pm). If it arrives later than this your vote won’t be counted.

If you do not receive your postal vote by the date of an election, you should contact us for a replacement - you must do this before 5pm on election day.

How can you return your postal vote?

• The easiest and most convenient way to return your postal vote is by posting it in a Royal Mail post box using the pre-paid envelope provided.
• Please allow sufficient time for your postal vote to reach us. It must be received by the Returning Officer not later than 10pm on election day.
• If you are hand delivering your completed postal vote, for example at a polling station, you now need to complete a form. The polling station staff will help you with this.
• You may hand deliver your own and no more than 5 other postal votes per election.
• If you are a campaigner, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of close relatives or people for whom yo provided regular care.
• DO NOT leave your postal vote in any Council Office post boxes, reception points or a polling station desk without completing a form as they will be rejected.