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The Government introduced new legislation on the 1 January 2007 to increase the security of absent voting. All Absent Voting applications should be sent to us immediately to avoid missing statutory deadlines.
There are three types of Absent Voting arrangements that can be applied for.
Once you are on the current Register of Electors, you can choose to vote by post instead of at your polling station. This is the method of voting where your ballot papers are sent to you, and which can be returned free of charge (in the UK) using any post box.
The new legislation referred to above means that every new Postal Voting application must include the applicant's signature and date of birth to be accepted.
If you wish us to send you one of these forms please contact Electoral Services or email elect@rbkc.gov.uk
All existing and new postal voters must now return a special security statement with their completed ballot paper which requires their signature and date of birth, to be matched up with those kept on record. This is a legal procedure to ensure your vote is protected - no one will ever know who you voted for.
All those who are currently registered to vote by post will receive a Personal Identifier Collection form and a freepost return envelope. Each person must check that all the pre-printed information is correct, then add their unique signature and date of birth. Similar to completing passport applications, this information must be given clearly and distinctly within the boxes provided. If these forms are not received, absent votes will be cancelled and electors will have to vote in person at their polling station and make a new application for future elections.
However, if an elector is unable to sign in a consistent or distinctive way due to disability, they may be granted an exemption from having to do so.
Please note that you should not wait for an election to be called before you send us your completed form. Postal and proxy applications should be sent to us immediately to avoid missing statutory deadlines.
Postal ballot papers can only be sent out around a week before election day. You should ensure that they are sent to an address where you can receive them, and also consider whether this gives you enough time to complete and return them. It may be more practical for you to vote by proxy, which is appointing someone to vote on your behalf.
If you are registered to vote by post you will not then be able to vote in person at the polling station, unless you have cancelled it in writing in advance. Polling station staff will not issue you with a ballot paper under any circumstances.
If you cannot attend your allocated polling station, and voting by post is not practical or appropriate for you, you can apply to vote by proxy. This is simply appointing someone to vote on your behalf. Your proxy should be someone who qualifies to vote in the election themselves (for example over 18 and a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen for a General Election), and they cannot be proxy for more than two people who are not family members.
Your proxy can be anywhere in the United Kingdom. They can apply to vote, as your proxy, by post.
We do not provide proxy or postal proxy application forms to be downloaded due to the frequent confusion as to how to complete the applications correctly. Please contact us for a form and guidance on how to complete it.
Contact Electoral Services or email elect@rbkc.gov.uk
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