Reminder to those planning to vote by post or proxy in North Shropshire by-election
People planning to vote by post or by proxy in the North Shropshire Parliamentary by-election on Thursday 16 December 2021 are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 1 December, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 8 December.
To apply for a postal vote, click here to download an application form. Further information about postal voting can be seen below.
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 16 December, 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 Tuesday 30 November if they want to vote in this election, 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 1 December
The final date for cancelling a postal vote is also 5pm on 1 December. 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 16 November, your postal voting pack will be distributed around 24 November.
If you register for a postal vote between 17 November and 1 December 2021, your pack will be sent around 3 December 2021.
Completing and returning your postal vote papers
- 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 Friday 10 December 2021, and the final date is 5pm on Thursday 16 December 2021.
If your request is received on Tuesday 14 December, Wednesday 15 December or Thursday 16 December 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 or any polling station in the North Shropshire constituency between 7am and 10pm on polling day – Thursday 16 December.
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
