Vote by post
It is now too late to register for a postal vote for the elections on 1 May 2025. The deadline was 5pm on Monday 14 April.
If you’re going to be away on election day or don't want to attend the polling station, you can register for a postal vote instead. The deadline for making an application for a postal vote is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day. You can however apply for a postal vote at any time during the year.
You can apply online or submit a paper application form . You will need to provide:
- your name
- your registered address
- your national insurance number (NINo).
- your date of birth
- the address you want the postal vote sent to
- if you would like a postal vote for a particular election on a specific date, for a definite period of not more than three years, or, a maximum period of up to three years.
- your signature (this must be a wet ink signature even if you are applying online as we cannot accept typed electronic signatures)
Paper application forms can be scanned or a clear photograph taken and emailed to elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or you can return this form to the Electoral Office, PO Box 720, Banbury, OX16 6LR.
What happens next?
When we receive your application, we are required to check the personal identifiers contained on the application (name, address, date of birth and NINo) against Department of Works and Pension (DWP) data.
If the application matches DWP data, we will contact you to confirm we have processed your application. Where an application fails to match with DWP data, we will ask you to provide documentary evidence to verify your identity. Where this is not possible, you must submit an attestation to confirm your identity.
What happens at an election?
Depending on when you applied and due to the statutory election timetable, postal votes are sent around two to three weeks before polling day. You should follow the instructions to complete and return your postal vote. When we receive your postal vote, your signature and date of birth will be checked against the information on your application form. If the details match, the ballot paper will go into the main count at the end of election day.
If the details do not match, for example you use a different signature or forget to fill in your date of birth, we will reject it. Your ballot paper won’t be included in the count. If this happens, we will write to you after the election to tell you. We are not legally permitted to contact you before the election to tell you if your postal vote has been rejected.
Unable to sign or complete a postal vote application due to disability/impairment
If you are unable to provide a signature on your postal vote application form due to a disability or illness, you may be eligible to have the requirement to provide a signature on your form waived. Please email elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk to request a postal vote waiver form.
The postal vote waiver form will mean someone else can assist on your behalf and you (or someone assisting you) will need to complete your date of birth but you will not have to sign the application form or the postal vote pack form at an election as it will have “waiver” printed in the signature box.
Cancelling your postal vote
You must cancel your postal vote in writing. We can accept an email from your email address if you have provided one as part of your registration or you can send a signed letter to confirm that you want to cancel your postal vote as a scanned attachment by email to elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, or by post to Electoral Office, PO Box 720, Banbury, OX16 6LR.
The deadline for the Electoral Office to receive a written cancellation of a postal voting arrangement before an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.
If you wish to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote, you must complete a proxy vote application. Please note that the deadline to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote for an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day. Read more information regarding proxy voting