Postal votes

Everyone who is registered to vote may apply for a postal vote instead of voting in a polling station.

To qualify for a postal vote, you must be registered to vote. You can register to vote online.

You may have a postal vote:

• for up to three years
• for a fixed period of time up to three years
• just for one election.

Apply for a postal vote

The quickest and easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online.

Apply online for a postal vote

Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote using a paper application form. Download the postal vote application form. and email a scanned copy of your completed form to elections@derby.gov.uk. Please note, we cannot accept signatures made with a touch screen or stylus, please print the form and scan a completed copy. Or you can send it by post to:

Elections
Derby City Council
Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS 

Your identity will be checked as part of the application process. We'll contact you if we need any further information.

Apply for a postal vote if you are overseas

If you are eligible, you can apply for an overseas postal vote.

Last date to apply for a postal vote

You can apply up to 5pm, 11 working days before the election day however we strongly advise you to apply as early as possible. 

Postal votes - the basics

• We normally send the postal vote pack to the voter’s home address. If you want us to send it to another address, you must tell us why.
• You can send in your postal vote from anywhere in the UK (or outside the UK if you are on holiday). To be counted, it needs to arrive by 10pm on Election Day. If your vote arrives after this time, it will not be counted.
• If you haven’t received your postal vote pack by four working days before the election, contact us straight away and no later than 5pm on the Election Day.

Changes to rules on handling postal votes

The rules on who can hand in postal votes have changed. You can only hand in up to five postal votes, plus your own, to the Council House reception or polling station. When handing in a postal vote, you will be given a form to complete.

Political campaigners can only hand in postal votes for their family members, or people they provide care for.

If you wish to hand in a postal vote at the Council House you must do so at reception between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday - postal votes handed in elsewhere or without a completed form cannot be accepted.

This is your vote – so keep it secure

• Complete your postal vote in private and do not let anyone else see it.
• Do not let anyone else vote for you.
• Do not give your ballot paper or postal pack to anyone else.
• Seal all envelopes yourself.
• Take your postal vote to the post box yourself, if this is not possible give it to someone you know and trust to post it for you. You can also deliver your postal vote to your polling station on election day.
• If anyone tries to help you against your will, or forces you to give them your postal vote, you should contact the police.