22/05/2017 - Permalink

Important information about postal voting in the general election

Related topics: Democracy

The UK general election will be held on Thursday 8 June 2017. Here’s some important information about postal voting for people in the Shropshire Council area.

New postal vote applications must be received at Shirehall in Shrewsbury by 5pm on Tuesday 23 May.

The final date for cancelling a postal vote is also 5pm on Tuesday 23 May. A signed letter of confirmation requesting cancellation must be sent or delivered to Shirehall by this time. This letter can also be attached to an email and sent to elections@shropshire.gov.uk.

Distribution of postal voting packs

If you were registered for a postal vote as at 9 May, your postal voting pack was distributed on Wednesday 17 May.

If you applied for a postal vote between 9 May and 23 May your pack will be sent out on Thursday 25 May.

Completing and return your postal vote papers

1. Spoilt ballot papers – If you make a mistake on the ballot paper itself, as long as it’s clear who you want to vote for you don’t need to ask for a replacement.
2. Spoilt ballot paper statement – Amendments are OK on your ballot paper statement: you just need to cross out the mistake and put the correct details either above or below so that Shropshire Council’s elections team can clearly see it.
3. Lost envelope A. If you lose envelope A you can use a replacement envelope. One with a window is preferable but if you can’t find one then just send it back in a normal envelope with ‘ballot paper’ written on the outside.
4. Lost envelope B. If you lose envelope B you can send it back in another envelope, but you need to mark a ‘B’ on it in large print, and include the wording ‘postal vote’.
5. Re-opening envelopes is fine. Simply reseal, sign on the seal and then sellotape the seal.

Requests for replacement postal vote packs (lost/spoilt/not received papers)

The first date that Shropshire Council’s elections team can process requests is Friday 2 June and the final date is 5pm on Thursday 8 June.

If your request is made on 2, 5 or 6 June you can request a replacement pack be posted (any spoilt papers must be returned to Shirehall in Shrewsbury).

If your request is received on 7 or 8 June, you or a reprsentative must attend Shirehall in person and bring ID to request replacement (any spoilt papers must be handed in at time of visit).

Acceptable ID

  • Photo driving licence and a utility bill
  • Passport and utility bill
  • Other photo ID and utility bill
  • Your representative must bring photo ID and a utility bill

Hand delivery of your postal vote

You can hand in your vote at your designated polling station between 7am and 10pm on polling day – Thursday 8 June.

From Monday 22 May a ballot box will be at Shirehall reception for you to drop off you postal vote.

Address for Shropshire Council’s election team
Electoral Services, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND. Email: elections@shropshire.gov.uk.

For more information about voting in the general election, click here.