New Legislation
From 31 October 2023, applications to vote by post will require you to provide your national insurance number in order to verify your identity.
How does it work?
Voting by post is a quick, easy and secure alternative to voting at a polling station. Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote, you do not need a reason to vote by post.
When applying to vote by post, you must provide us with your date of birth, signature and national insurance number. Your date of birth and signature are checked and matched against the completed postal vote statement at an election to keep your vote secure.
In order to avoid your application being rejected, please ensure you complete all sections of the application form.
Once registered to vote by post, you will receive a postal vote pack containing your ballot papers(s) for the next election. You will receive your postal vote pack around a week before polling day for an election. Once you receive your pack, you simply mark the ballot papers(s), complete the postal vote statement (ensuring your signature and date of birth match your original application) and return it to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.
How to apply
To complete an application to vote by post, please visit the secure online government portal.
You will be required to provide your national insurance number, as well as submitting a photograph of your signature. Please ensure the photograph of your signature is on plain, white paper and that the photograph is clear and light.
If you are unable to submit an application on the secure online government portal, you can either:
- Download, print and complete a postal vote application form (PDF)
- Email the Electoral Services team to request a paper application form.
Return your completed paper form to us either:
As a scanned attachment to an email to elections@wealden.gov.uk. Please ensure that the image is of good quality and your signature is clear. Attachments should be sent in an acceptable file format (PDF, JPEG).
or post it to us at Electoral Services, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX
Please note that you must print the form and provide your physical (“wet”) signature using a black pen within the grey box in part 4 of the application before you return your form.
The deadline for making an application for a postal vote for an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.
If you have any questions regarding completing the postal vote application form or voting by post, please email the Electoral Services team.