Anyone included in the register of Electors may apply for a postal vote. You do not have to state any reason and the form does not have to be countersigned.
On the form, you must include your full name and the address where you are registered to vote. The address where the postal ballot papers should be sent must also be included, and if this is not your registered address, a reason for the re-direction.
The application must also include your signature and date of birth in the boxes provided.
Postal votes can be sent to an address outside the UK - for example if you are going on holiday - but please remember that it will take time to get there and for you to return it in time for the vote to be counted.
Postal ballot papers are normally sent out about a week before polling day, so if you will not be at home around that time you should consider appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf.
If an election is announced and you know that you will not be able to vote in person, you must complete and return an application form as soon as possible.
The Electoral Registration Officer must receive your completed application form by 5.00 pm, eleven working days before election day. (Working days exclude weekends, bank holidays, Good Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). (For medical emergencies after this deadline, please see - Proxy Voting). Completed application forms should be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3XE.
You can either download an application form from this page or ring the Postal/Proxy Votes Helpline below. Forms are also available from any of the Council's four Town Centre Offices or from Main Reception at the Town Hall, Ripley.
At election time, once you have received your postal ballot paper you must post (or take) this back so that it reaches the Returning Officer before 10.00 pm on election day. Alternatively the postal vote can be handed in at a Polling Station in your Ward on Election Day.
