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Postal and proxy voting

Postal votes

Voting by post is a quick, easy and secure alternative to voting at a polling station. Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote, you do not need a reason to vote by post.

When applying to vote by post, you must provide us with your date of birth and signature - these are checked against the completed postal vote pack at an election to keep your vote secure. Please note, from 31 October 2023, you must provide your national insurance number when applying to vote by post. This is due to a change to electoral law which requires you to verify your identity when applying to vote by post.

Once registered to vote by post, you will receive a postal vote pack containing your ballot papers(s) for the next election.

You will receive your postal vote pack around a week before polling day for an election. Once you receive your pack, you just mark the ballot papers(s), complete the postal vote pack and return it to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.

How to apply

Please apply for a postal vote online, or email elections@middevon.gov.uk to request an application form

From 31 October 2023, applications to vote by post will be rejected where a national insurance number is not provided. This is due to a change to electoral law, which requires you to verify your identity when applying to vote by post.

The deadline to return an application to vote by post under current electoral law (without a national insurance number) is 30 October 2023.

During this transition period (up to 30 October 2023), application forms will only be sent as a PDF attachment via email. Requests for paper applications will be sent after 1 November 2023.

Return your completed form to us either:

  • As a scanned attachment to an email to elections@middevon.gov.uk. Please ensure that the image is of good quality and your signature is clear.
  • or post it to us at Electoral Services, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP.

Please note that you must print the form and provide your physical ("wet") signature using black ink within the signature box of the application before you return your form. If you do not have access to a printer, please email elections@middevon.gov.uk and we will post the application form to you.

The deadline for making an application for a postal vote for an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

If you have any questions regarding completing the postal vote application form or voting by post, please email elections@middevon.gov.uk.

Proxy votes

You can appoint another person to vote on your behalf in person at the polling station. A person appointed to vote on behalf of another elector is known as a proxy.

An appointed proxy must be 18 years old and older and currently registered to vote at an address in the UK.

Anyone can apply for a proxy for a one-off election. To apply for a 5 year proxy arrangement you need supporting evidence for one of the following reasons:

  • you have a disability
  • you are away on an educational course
  • you are regularly away for work
  • you are an overseas voter
  • you are in the Armed Forces

How to apply

Please apply for a proxy vote online, or email elections@middevon.gov.uk to request an application form.

From 31 October 2023, applications to vote by proxy will be rejected where a national insurance number is not provided. This is due to a change to electoral law, which requires you to verify your identity when applying to vote by proxy.

The deadline to return an application to vote by proxy under current electoral law (without a national insurance number) is 30 October 2023.

During this transition period (up to 30 October 2023) application forms will only be sent as a PDF attachment via email. Requests for paper applications will be sent after 1 November 2023.

Return your completed form to us either:

  • As a scanned attachment to an email to elections@middevon.gov.uk. Please ensure that the image is of good quality and your signature is clear.
  • or post it to us at Electoral Services, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP.

Please note that you must print the form and provide your physical ("wet") signature using black ink within the grey box in the section of the application where it is requested before you scan and return your form. If you do not have access to a printer, please email elections@middevon.gov.uk and we will post the form to you.

The deadline for making an application for a proxy vote is 5pm, six working days before polling day. However, if you are already registered to vote by post, the deadline to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

Please note that your appointed proxy must vote in person on your behalf at the designated polling station for the address where you are registered to vote in Mid Devon. If your proxy is unable to attend your polling station, they should apply to vote by post on your behalf. Please see information about postal voting above.

If you have any questions regarding proxy voting, please email elections@middevon.gov.uk

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