Ways to vote and postal vote applications
Once you are registered, you can vote by:
On this page you can also find advice for voters with disabilities and overseas voters.
Apply to vote by post
You can apply to vote by post if you are unable to go to your Polling Station on election day. You do not need to have a reason to vote by post. Your ballot paper can be sent to you at home or to an address of your choice. As part of the application you need to fill out an identity confirmation form.
If you live abroad your ballot paper can also be sent to you by post. Please see the overseas electors information below.
Completed forms should be returned to the address on the right. If you would like a form to be sent to you by post, please contact us using the details on the right.
We will post out ballot papers to people voting by post before the elections. Simply follow the instructions on how to vote and return the pre-paid envelopes to us. Alternatively you can also hand them in at any polling station in Hackney.
The deadline for receipt of postal vote applications is 11 working days before the day of an election.
Postal vote signatures
Every five years, existing postal and proxy voters are required to update the signature we hold. If you receive a letter from us entitled 'Postal Challenge Letter', you will need to complete the form and return it to us by 12 March 2012 or you will lose your right to vote by post or by proxy.
For more information please contact using the details on the right or read the following Electoral Commission PDF: absent vote identifier refresh (PDF).
Vote in person
On election day, go to your allotted polling station, which will be in a public building, such as a local school or hall. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
You do not need to take the poll card with you to be able to vote. Voters who vote by post are not sent a poll card as they are not required to attend the polling station.
Vote by proxy
You can appoint someone else to cast your vote on your behalf if you have a valid reason, such as falling ill and being unable to get to the polling station, or if you are abroad during the election.
You will have to give a reason why you cannot vote in person and your application may need to be supported by your doctor or employer. If you are a student the rules have been changed to allow you to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.
For an applicaton form please contact us using the contact details on the right.
The deadline for receipt of proxy applications is 6 working days before an election.
Overseas electors
If you are an overseas elector you can choose to have your ballot paper sent to you overseas. However, it will only be sent out one or two weeks before an election, therefore, in order to ensure your vote is counted you are strongly advised to vote by proxy. See above.
People with disabilities
Electoral Services provide special facilites to help voters with disabilites:
- All polling stations, have wheelchair access, and special ramps are provided where needed
- All polling stations have a polling booth adapted for people in wheelchairs
- Polling cards have been made much larger to make them easier to read, and to include a postal/proxy vote application form
- Large print versions of ballot papers are also available in every polling station.There are also special aids available to enable blind voters to mark their ballot papers without assistance
- If you are a disabled voter with disabilities that prevent you from being able to complete a ballot paper on your own, then you can take a friend or relative to the polling station to vote for you
- The presiding officer at the polling station can help you fill in your ballot paper
If you don't want to go to the polling station to vote, please remember that all voters are entitled to vote by post, and voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote. Application forms are available to download on the right of this page or by contacting Electoral Services.
This Promote the Vote website provides accessible information for people with learning disabilities about the process of voting and how to register to vote.
More information
The Disability Rights Commission has also produced voting related information aimed at people with learning disabilities. For more information please visit: www.direct.gov.uk
Page updated: 13 Jan 2012
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