15/03/2021 - Permalink

Apply soon to vote by post or proxy in this year’s local elections

Related topics: Democracy

People planning to vote by post or by proxy in the local elections on Thursday 6 May 2021 are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

This year elections are being held for Shropshire Council, for town councils, for parish councils, and for the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post, or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

See below for information about postal voting. To apply for a postal vote, click here to download an application form.

To apply for a proxy vote, and for more information, click here to visit the Shropshire Council website. There are various types of proxy appointment forms, depending on the type of appointment that people want to make.

For those who choose to vote in person polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May, with social distancing and other safety measures in place, and people are being asked to bring their own pen or pencil.

People are also being reminded that, if they are not already registered to vote, they need to register by the deadline of Monday 19 April if they want to vote, at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Further information about postal vote applications

New postal vote applications must be received at Shirehall in Shrewsbury by 5pm on 20 April 2021.

The final date for cancelling a postal vote is also 5pm on 20 April. 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 are registered for a postal vote as at 31 March 2021, your postal voting pack will be distributed around 16 April 2021.

If you register for a postal vote between 1 April and 20 April 2021, your pack will be sent around 21 April 2021.

Completing and returning 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 of the envelope.
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. Reopening 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 Thursday 29 April 2021, and the final date is 5pm on Thursday 6 May.

If your request is made on Thursday 29 April or Friday 30 April 2021 you can request a replacement pack be posted (but any spoilt papers must be returned to Shirehall in Shrewsbury).

If your request is received on Tuesday 4 May, Wednesday 5 May or Thursday 6 May 2021, you or a representative must attend Shirehall in person and bring ID to request a 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 6 May.

You can hand deliver to Shirehall via the letter box, as the building is not currently open for public access.

Address for Shropshire Council’s election team

Electoral Services, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND. Email: elections@shropshire.gov.uk.