Guidance

Apply for a postal vote: easy read guide

An easy read guide to applying for a postal vote in England, Scotland or Wales. This is a step by step guide on how to complete the online application.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Electoral Commission and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
24 January 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Apply for a postal vote: easy read guide

PDF, 1.68 MB, 24 pages

Details

You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.

This guide will help you use the online service to apply to vote by post in:

  • general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
  • local elections in England (including mayors)
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
  • national referendums if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
  • MP recall petitions in England, Scotland or Wales

If you are from Northern Ireland you’ll need to use different forms. Support is available in Northern Ireland for electors who require additional assistance to cast their vote.

Updates to this page

Published 24 January 2024

Sign up for emails or print this page

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

    1. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

    Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact your electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else