Postal Voting

You can now choose whether you prefer to vote at a polling station or by post. Voting at a polling station

• In England, Scotland and Wales, you can chose to vote by post, if you cannot or do not wish to attend your polling station.  You do not have to give any reason for asking for a postal vote.
• Applications can be made for a single election, for a specified period or indefinitely.
• A postal vote can be sent to your home address or any other address specified by you.
• Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there would be time for you to receive and return your ballot paper by polling day.
• Postal votes are usually despatched about a week before polling day.
• If you have been sent a postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling station.
• Postal votes can be posted back to the council offices or returned by hand to the council offices or polling station.
• Postal votes have to be received at the council or polling station by the close of poll on polling day.

If you wish to apply for a postal vote please contact us to request a form by emailing us at elreg@chester.gov.uk, calling 01244 324324 or writing to us at:

The Electoral Registration Officer,
The Forum,
Chester,
CH1 2HS

• Anyone on the Register of Electors can apply for a postal vote.
• Postal votes can be sent anywhere either inside or outside the UK.
• There is always a last day to receive postal votes in time for an election - the day and time is advertised close to the election
• If you move house you must notify the Electoral Registration Officer or you may lose your postal vote

It is an offence to make a false statement on a postal application, the maximum fine is £5,000.