The Elections Act 2022 introduced new rules for postal voting:
- You can now apply online to vote by post, you can do this by clicking here
- If you apply for a postal vote, you will need to prove your identity as part of the application process
- Successful applications to vote by post will be in place for a maximum of three years, electors will have to reapply to keep voting by post and will be contacted several months before an expiry date is due.
There are restrictions on the handing in of postal votes:
- A new criminal offence to stop political parties and campaigners handling certain completed postal voting packs
- Voters should make every attempt to post their voting pack in a Royal Mail post box or post office in good time for it to be received before 10pm on polling day
- Voters will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal voting packs (in addition to their own) at a polling station or a council office per election that is taking place
- A declaration form will need to be completed by the person handing in any postal voting packs to ensure they meet the new requirements
- The declaration form must be completed in full otherwise the postal voting packs being hand delivered could all be rejected
- If postal voting packs are handed in without a declaration form being completed they will be classed as "left behind" and rejected