If you are not able to visit your polling station on the day of an election, you can apply to vote by post instead.
You must be registered to vote before you can apply.
Your completed application must be received by us no later than 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.
How to apply
The easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online:
You will be asked to include your personal identifiers - your date of birth and signature.
Due to revised legislation, all postal voting applications now require additional information, including your National Insurance number, to verify the identity of the applicant.
If you cannot apply online, please email us at Elections@north-herts.gov.uk.
When we send your postal vote
Your ballot papers will be sent to you by post in a postal voting pack approximately one week before polling day.
If this is not convenient you may want to consider voting by proxy or requesting for your postal vote to be sent to an alternative address instead.
Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot. You may want to consider voting by proxy instead.
When to return your postal vote
Once you receive your postal vote pack, complete and return it immediately.
The Returning Officer must receive your completed ballot no later than 10pm on polling day. Any votes received after this time will not be counted.
The completed ballot paper pack must be sent back to the Returning Officer. You can return this pack by post or by hand to the Council Offices in Letchworth. If returning by hand to the Council Offices, you must complete a written declaration when handing in your postal vote pack.
You can also take the completed forms back to your polling station. You will not be allowed to vote at your polling station while you have a postal vote.
You can cancel your postal vote by putting your request in writing to the Electoral Registration Officer. If you are cancelling your postal or proxy vote prior to an election, this written request must be received by 5pm 11 working days before polling day.
Request a replacement postal voting pack
If you have not received your postal voting pack by the fourth working day before polling day or the Ballot Paper has been spoilt, you can request a replacement by calling the Electoral Services helpline on 01462 474503.
We can only issue replacement postal voting packs up to 5pm on the day of the election. As part of this process you will have to provide proof of identity.