Postal and proxy voting

How do I vote by post or proxy?

By post

Voting by post is easy. You need to be registered on the electoral register first and then you can apply to vote by post by visiting GOV.uk website. You can download a paper application form from GOV.uk website or contact the Electoral Services team who will send you a form in the post. You can email us a scan or photo of your completed paper form to vote@westberks.gov.uk or post it back. 

You must reapply for a postal vote every three years, or every time you need to update your registration. The Electoral Services team will contact you when your renewal is due. Each person must apply for their own postal vote, as you will need to sign the application form, provide your date of birth and national insurance number.

How postal voting works

We send postal votes to all registered postal voters approximately ten days before polling day, therefore, a proxy may be a more suitable solution if you are going away on holiday. Once you have received your postal vote pack, you need to complete it by following the instructions in the pack. You will need to provide a signature. If you cannot provide a consistent signature due to disability or illness you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver through the Electoral Services team. 

We strongly recommend that you return your postal pack by posting it in a Royal Mail postbox. However, you can hand-deliver the postal vote to a polling station or to West Berkshire Council Offices. When returning the vote by hand, you will need to complete a postal vote handling form. If this is not completed, your vote will be rejected.

Completed postal votes must reach the Returning Officer by 10pm on polling day.

If you have not received your postal vote five days before an election, you will need to contact the Electoral Services team to request a replacement. Replacements for lost postal packs cannot be issued any earlier than this point.

By proxy

A proxy is someone who votes for you. You may need to vote by proxy if, for example, you'll be away on holiday, working, living or serving overseas on election day. Before you start your application ask your proxy's permission.

Your proxy

The person you appoint as your proxy should be someone you trust to vote on your behalf.

Your proxy must:

• be registered to vote
• be allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
• have acceptable photo ID; if they do not have photo ID, they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (further information can be found on our Voter ID web page) 

Your nominated proxy will have to go to your designated polling station on polling day. They cannot cast your vote at their local polling station, unless it is the same as yours. If your proxy lives a long way from your polling station, then once your proxy application has been completed, your proxy can apply to have a proxy vote by post which is called a postal proxy.

Applying for a proxy vote 

To apply for a proxy vote you will need:

• your national insurance number 
• the address where your proxy is registered to vote
• contact details for your proxy

You'll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

Apply online at GOV.uk website. 

If you are unable to complete this online, please contact with the elections team on 01635 519464, or email vote@westberks.gov.uk and Electoral Services team will send you a paper form. 

Emergency proxy

You maybe able to apply for an emergency proxy if you can't get to the polling station on election day due to a medical emergency, a work reason or availability of voter ID. 

This must be something that you were not aware of before the normal proxy vote closing date for that election (5pm six working days before polling day).

You need to complete and return an emergency proxy application to the elections office before 5pm on polling day. The relevant form can be downloaded from The Electoral Commission website. 

If you wish to cancel your postal or proxy vote or have issues accessing or using the internet, please contact the Electoral Services team on 01635 519464 or email vote@westberks.gov.uk.