If you are not able to go to the polling station in person on the day, you can apply to vote by post. 

Make sure you're registered to vote

To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote. Find out if you're eligible to register and how to apply.

If you're not sure if you already have a postal vote, contact the elections team on 01530 454512 to find out.

Voting by post

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.

You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election. Find out more about how to vote by post.

Complete an application form

There are two ways to apply to vote by post:

You can choose to apply for a postal vote for a particular election, a particular type of election, or all elections you are eligible to vote in.

If you only want to apply for a postal vote for a particular type of election, you need to contact the elections team by either calling 01530 454512 or emailing electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk  

You need to complete a new postal vote application if you have moved house or changed your name.

Long-term postal votes

You can apply for a postal vote for a specific time period or for a maximum of three years.

Once the application is approved 

You should receive your ballot paper about two weeks before the election that you have requested a postal vote for.

If it doesn’t arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the Electoral Registration Office until 5pm on Election Day.

How to vote

When you receive your postal vote, read the instructions carefully.

1. Your postal vote includes your ballot paper and a postal voting statement.


2. Complete both of these and return them immediately.


3. We need to receive your postal vote by 10pm on Thursday 2 May 2024.


4. If you miss the post, you can hand in your postal vote and/or the postal vote of others (No more than 5 plus your own) at Stenson House during office hours to a person authorised to receive postal votes, or at any polling station in the voting area before 10pm on Thursday 2 May 2024.

It is an offence to complete a postal vote that is not your own, and to influence how others complete their postal vote.  If you have any allegations of fraud, they should be referred to the police.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the elections on Thursday 2 May is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April. You must also be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April.

Last updated: Mon 4 March, 2024 @ 14:15