Vote by post or proxy

You can apply to vote by post if you cannot get to the polling station to vote or if you find it more convenient. 

You cannot vote at a polling station if you have a postal vote.

Apply to vote by post

To apply to vote by post you’ll need to provide your National Insurance number to verify your identity.  

If you do not have a National Insurance number, or it cannot be matched, you’ll need to provide supporting documents, and it may take longer to process your application.

You can apply online or with a paper form. 

Apply for a postal vote on GOV.UK

Request a postal vote paper application form 

To return your paper form:

Submit your postal application form 

You can also return your paper form by:

• post: Electoral Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
• hand delivery: Civic Centre, High Street, Esher

After you apply

We’ll send you your ballot papers with a statement asking for your date of birth and signature (unless you have a signature waiver). This helps keep your vote secure.

Complete and return your postal vote

When you receive your postal vote, read the instructions carefully.  

Return your completed postal vote (ballot paper and postal voting statement) straight away. They must arrive by 10pm on election day. 

If you miss the Royal Mail post, you can hand in your postal vote or someone else’s postal vote at: 

• the Civic Centre, during office hours, to a person authorised to receive postal votes
• any polling station in the constituency

When you hand in the postal vote, you’ll be given a form. You must complete this form for the vote to be accepted. 

Do not put any postal votes in the letter box at the Civic Centre. These will be rejected.

Handing in other people’s postal votes

You can hand in postal votes for up to 5 other voters.  

If you’re a political campaigner, you can only hand in the postal votes of up to 5 family members or people you regularly care for.

Lost or spoilt postal votes

If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, call us on 01372 474474 straight away and we will issue a replacement before 5pm on election day. 

Cancel your postal vote

You can cancel your postal vote up to 5pm, 11 working days before an election.

To cancel, write to us. You can do this: 

• online through the contact us form
• by post to Electoral Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD

Help with voting

If you need help to vote, you can ask someone you know or get independent help by contacting us on 01372 474474.