Anyone included in the register of electors may apply for a postal vote. If you have a postal vote, you cannot go to the polling station to vote. The polling station staff will not issue you will a ballot paper under any circumstances. You must apply in advance to vote by post at an election.
To apply and complete a postal vote, please follow the steps below.
You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote. If you are not sure if you have already registered, please contact us on 01773 841458 or email elections@ambervalley.gov.uk.
If you are not registered, please visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
You can register for a postal vote via the gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
You can also download and print out a postal vote application form. Return your completed form to Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT or scan your form and email it to elections@ambervalley.gov.uk.
You can also register for a postal vote via the gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
If you are unable to print this form, please contact electoral services on 01773 841458, or email elections@ambervalley.gov.uk.
On the form you must include your full name, the address where you are registered to vote, and your national insurance number. 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.
Return your completed form to Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT or scan your form and email it to elections@ambervalley.gov.uk.
The electoral registration officer must receive your completed postal vote application form by 5pm, eleven working days before election day. (Working days exclude weekends, bank holidays, Good Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
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 or having your postal voting pack sent to another address.
If you have lost or spoilt your ballot paper, you can get a replacement up to 5pm on the day of an election. You must collect it in person.
If you spoiled your ballot paper, bring the:
When you're ready to cast your vote, you should:
To ensure your vote is counted:
If you do not follow the above steps when completing your postal vote statement, your postal vote may be rejected and not counted.
This YouTube video shows you the steps in completing your postal vote pack: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MvjLpXQ-uw
Post the envelope yourself in a standard royal mail post box, or ask someone you trust to post it for you. Don't leave it where someone could pick it up. You can also hand deliver these to our post box at our main town hall office.
Alternatively, the completed postal vote can be handed in at a polling station in your ward on election day.
To cancel your postal vote you must request this in writing to elections@ambervalley.gov.uk or write to the elections team at Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT.
This must be received by 5pm, 11 working days before an election for it to be valid.
This is also the deadline to make changes to an existing postal vote including changing your postal vote to a proxy vote.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841458 or email elections@ambervalley.gov.uk
