Voting by post
If you are unable to attend the polling station on election day it may be more convenient for you to have a postal vote. Postal voting describes the method of voting, your ballot paper(s) will be sent to you by post and can be returned by post to the Returning Officer or you can take your completed ballot papers to your polling station and hand it to the Presiding Officer, before the close of poll (10pm) on election day.
To vote by post at any election you have to be on the Electoral Register and complete an application form. You can check if you are on the Electoral Register by contacting the helpline on 01462 474503, you can also request an application form for postal voting or download the postal vote application form 
. After completing the form, you will need to print it, sign it, and send it back in the envelope provided to:
The Electoral Registration Officer
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3JF
You need to sign your application form personally and add your date of birth. To help prevent electoral fraud these details will be checked when you return your ballot papers and signed declaration. If you are unable to sign your papers please contact the helpline, 01462 474305 for advice.
You can apply for a postal vote up to 11 days before election day.
Please note that you will not be allowed to vote at your polling station while you have a postal vote. You may cancel your postal vote at any time by putting your request in writing to the Electoral Registration Officer (address above).
Who can apply for a postal vote?
Anyone aged 18 or over who is on the electoral register can apply for a postal vote. You are no longer required to give a specific reason to vote by post. You can apply to keep your postal vote for all future elections until you tell us to cancel it, or for one particular election only (for example, if you would normally prefer to go to the polling station but you will be away on election day).
Where can I have my postal vote sent?
A postal vote can be sent to your home address or to any other address you want, so long as you have told us in advance. Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper by the close of poll (10pm) on election day.
When will I receive my ballot papers?
Postal votes are sent out about a week before election day. As soon as you receive it, mark your vote on the ballot paper(s) and make sure you send it back so that it arrives by close of poll (which is 10pm on election day). If it arrives later than this your vote will not be counted. If there is not enough time for you to receive and send back your postal vote you may consider appointing a proxy instead.
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 but can take the completed forms to your nominated polling station by 10pm.
