From 1 January 2007, every new absent voting application must
include the applicant's
signature and
date
of birth to be valid.
The Regulations prescribe
that:
- All applications require the date of birth to be supplied in a
dd/mm/yyyy format
- All applications must have the signature supplied
- Where a postal vote is to be sent to an address other than the
registered address, a reason for this redirection must be
given
- Where applicable, please give the reason why a signature is
unable to be provided and the name and address of any person who
has assisted the application
These provisions are in addition to the existing requirements
for absent vote applications, namely that:
- They must be in writing and be dated by the applicant
- They must include the full name of the applicant
- They must include the registration address or for a postal
proxy application, the elector's name and address and the proxy's
name and address
- They must include the address where the postal ballot paper
should be sent, and if this is not the registration address, a
reason for this re-direction
- On proxy applications, they must include the reason for the
application and attestation if it is for more than a single
Election
Where an applicant is unable to provide a
signature, they may request the Electoral Registration Officer
waive the requirement for a signature. Any such request must
include the reason(s) for it, along with the name and address of
any person who has assisted the applicant with the
completion of the application.
Existing Absent Voters:
By law, all Electoral Registration Officers
had to send a Notice after 1st January 2007,
to all existing postal, proxy and postal proxy voters, requiring
them to supply a specimen of their signature and
their date of birth. Reminders were sent to
anyone who had not replied, and if no further response was received
from the elector, by law the postal/proxy voting status of that
elector was cancelled with effect from 42 days after the
initial Notice.
Timescales for Making Absent Vote
Applications Prior to Polling:
- The latest date for making a new application for a
postal vote is 5pm, eleven days
before Polling Day.
- The latest date for making a new application for a
proxy vote is
5pm, six
days before Polling Day.
- The latest date for amending an existing
postal or postal proxy application is 5pm eleven
days before Polling Day.
- In the case of a medical emergency on the grounds of unforeseen
physical incapacity, a proxy application can be
received up until 5pm on the day of
poll.
Anyone wishing to make an application for a
postal or proxy vote should contact Democratic
Services on the details below.