Voting by Post

How do I get a postal vote?

To vote by post please download and complete a postal vote application form

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

Post to:
Electoral Registration Officer
Thanet District Council
Cecil Street
Margate

Kent  CT9 1XZ

Or fax to: (01843) 290906

Alternatively you can request a form to be posted to you by contacting 01843 577500 or by sending an e-mail to electoral.services@thanet.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  and  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 Thanet 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

To vote at an election, you need to be on the electoral list,  have you registered

E-mail:
electoral.services
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577500

Fax: 01843 291640