Postal voting
You can receive a postal vote if you apply by eleven working days before an election is held.
Postal voting is convenient as you don't have to go to a polling station to vote.
Postal voters must reapply to vote by post every 3 years, the Electoral Services Team will contact you when it is time to reapply for your postal vote.
How to apply for a postal vote
Applications to request to vote by post have closed until after the next District Council election on Thursday 2 May 2024
If you are unable to go to your polling station there is still time to appoint someone to vote on your behalf. See proxy voting for more information.
About your postal vote
Postal votes can be sent anywhere, either inside or outside the United Kingdom (if, for example, you are going on holiday). Remember, though, that if the address is outside the UK it will take time to reach you and for you to return it in order for your vote to be counted.
If you move house you must tell the Electoral Registration Officer immediately, or you may lose your postal vote.
How to fill in your postal vote
When voting by post, you should:
- mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
- fill in the postal voting statement
- put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided
- seal the envelope yourself.
Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it's counted.
Candidate numbers no longer appear on ballot papers as shown in the video below. However, the videos provide a useful demonstration of how to complete your postal vote pack
How to complete your postal vote for a district election
How to complete your postal vote for a parish election
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Returning your postal vote
New rules mean that your postal vote will be rejected if it is not returned correctly.
Please ensure you post your postal vote back as soon as possible to ensure it is delivered in time. If you don't have time to post it back to us, you can hand it in at your local polling station or at High Street Buildings, 3-5 Albion Street, Huddersfield HD1 2NG.
- The easiest and most convenient way to return your postal vote is by posting it in a Royal Mail post box using the pre-paid envelope provided (envelope B).
- Please allow enough time for your postal vote to reach us. It must be received by the Returning Officer not later than 10pm on Thursday 2 May 2024.
- If you are hand delivering your completed postal vote, for example at a polling station or at the Electoral Services Office, you will need to complete a statutory form. Our staff will help you with this.
- You can hand deliver your own and no more than 5 other postal votes per election.
- If you are a campaigner, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of close relatives or people for whom you provide regular care.
- DO NOT leave your postal vote in any Council Office post boxes, reception points or a polling station desk without completing a form.