Elections - Voting by Post

Elections

Voting by Post

How do I get a postal vote?

To vote by post please complete a postal vote application form.

This form must be printed and signed before being returned (by post or fax) to us.

Post to:
Electoral Registration Officer
Dover District Council
Council Offices
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ

Or fax to: (01304) 872452

Alternatively you can request a form to be posted by you by contacting 01304 872353 or 872352, or by sending an e-mail to: elections@dover.gov.uk.

To vote by post at any election we must receive your application at the very latest by 5 pm on the eleventh working day before the election.

How do I vote by post?

When we get your application we record on the electoral register that you want to vote by post - you will not be allowed to vote at a polling station while you have a postal vote
You will receive a ballot paper, a Postal Vote Statement which you have to fill in, an envelope to put the ballot paper in, and a postage-paid return envelope (not valid overseas).
Return your completed ballot paper and your postal vote statement to Dover District Council.
It is your responsibility to post it back in time to reach us before the close of poll on election day. If you leave it too late to post it, you can take it on election day (before the close of poll) to the polling station in the area where you normally vote and hand it to the presiding officer.

How long does my postal vote application last?

You can apply to keep your postal vote for all future elections until you tell us to cancel it
You can ask for a postal vote for one particular election only (for example, if you would normally prefer to go to the polling station but you will be away on that day)
You can ask for a postal vote for a particular period (for example, if you are going to be away from home for several months and want to vote in any elections that take place in that time.)

What if I am living away from the address where I am registered to vote?

You can have your postal vote sent to any address you want, so long as you have told us in advance. People living overseas can have their postal vote sent to them, but they may not be able to get it back in time to be counted in the election (overseas voters may be better applying for a proxy vote by appointing someone to vote for them).

What if I do not receive my ballot paper?

If you have not received your ballot paper by the fourth working day before election day, you can ask us to give you a replacement ballot paper - but we can only do this up to 5pm on the day of the election. We will ask you for proof of identity. Because of the short timescale and the need for proof of identity, you will normally have to come to the council offices to collect a replacement ballot paper.

What if I spoil my ballot paper?

If you fill in your ballot paper incorrectly and you want us to replace it you must send it or bring it to the council offices, together with all the other documents we sent with it, and ask us to give you a new ballot paper. You must do this by 5pm on the day of the election at the latest. You may not have time to send it back by post.

Can I cancel my postal vote when I want to?

Yes, but you must tell us in writing. We need to receive this at least 11 days before an election or you will still get your postal vote and not be able to vote at a polling station at that election.

Alternatively vote by Proxy

E-mail: elections@dover.gov.uk