Postal voting

Registered electors can choose to vote at any election (Bristol City Council, Parliamentary, European or referendums) by post. You can request a postal vote for:

• a specific election
• all elections
• a set time period.

Who can apply for a postal vote?

Anyone can apply for a postal vote who is:

• on the published register of electors or
• who has applied to be added as part of the monthly update process.

If you are not already on the electoral register, please see our register to vote page.

How to apply for a postal vote

Complete the postal vote application form (pdf, 34 KB) (opens new window). Each person requiring a postal vote must fill in a form. Return your completed form to Electoral Services, FREEPOST (NAT 11762), Bristol, BS1 5BR (no stamp needed) or fax to 0117 922 3461.

Postal vote statement

The postal vote statement requires you to provide your signature and date of birth. When you return this, the signature and date of birth is checked against the record we hold from your registration form. More detailed instructions are provided in your postal ballot pack.

If it is not possible for you to sign your application, you can apply for a ‘waiver’. You will need to state the reason for the waiver and the name and address of the person assisting you. Please use our postal vote waiver application form (pdf, 33 KB) (opens new window).

What happens after I have applied?

Provided there is enough time before the election you will receive a confirmation that your application has been received.

People living in the UK will be supplied with a first class post prepaid envelope to return their ballot paper together with instructions explaining how to complete it.

Overseas voters will have to pay the return postage for their vote. Please note that we recommend that overseas voters appoint a proxy as there is probably insufficient time to return a postal vote to be included in the count.  See our proxy voting page for more information.

Spoilt/damaged postal votes

Please contact us if you spoil your postal ballot paper or postal vote statement. You can get a replacement until 5pm on polling day. Do not destroy or throw away any of your postal ballot papers.

Security of postal votes

When you apply for a postal (or proxy) vote you must provide your date of birth and signature which is kept on record.

When you get your postal ballot paper there will be a separate statement on which you will be asked for the same details. This is for security reasons and the details must match those provided in your original application for your vote to be counted.

The statement is separated from the ballot paper when it is received. This happens before the sealed ballot paper envelope is opened and the vote is counted.

PI refresh

Postal votes are verified by PI (Personal Identifier) information which consists of a combination of date of birth and signature. Every five years Absent Voters (ie electors who have a Postal or a Proxy vote) must by law renew their signatures.