Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to vote by post.

You can click on the image to the left and an application form will appear. Fill it in and return it to you local electoral registration office.

You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 introduced new measures to improve the security of postal and proxy votes.

All postal and proxy voters are required to give their date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote.

Special provision can be made for those who are unable to sign the form. For more information please contact your local Electoral Registration Officer for more information.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before being checked. Giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

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.

You should receive your postal ballot about one week before the election. If it doesn't arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from your Returning Officer up until 5pm on election day.

You can get a replacement up until 5pm on election day. You must pick it up in person from your Returning Officer. You will also need to return your spoilt ballot paper and the other parts of the ballot pack that were sent to you.

You can get a replacement ballot paper in person from your Returning Officer up until 5pm on election day.

If you have applied to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station. However, on election day you can return you postal vote to the polling station (before 10pm) or to your the Returning Officer at your local council (before they close) if you do not want to post it or it is too late to post it. Contact the Returning Officer at your local council to find out where your polling station is.