Apply to vote by post

Who can vote by post

You must be registered to vote before you can receive a postal vote. Anyone can request a postal vote. There are no special circumstances needed. A postal vote is available on demand.

This request can be:

• until further notice
• for a particular election only or
•  for a specific period only. 

You do not need to give a reason for asking but you must make a written application.

Apply for a postal vote

You can download a postal vote application form (PDF, 1.24 MB) to complete and return to Barnet Electoral Services.

Please complete the form including your signature and date of birth. Please return the form by email to ero@barnet.gov.uk, or post it to:

Electoral Services
London Borough of Barnet 
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale NW9 4EW

You cannot apply for a postal vote online. Electoral Services need your signature to make sure nobody else can use your vote.

Where you can receive the postal vote

You can have the postal vote sent wherever you decide.

If you want your ballot paper to be sent to a different address from where you're registered to vote, you have to tell us the reason why you want to do this.

We can refuse to send your ballot paper to the address you request if we are not satisfied with the reason given. We will tell you if this is the case.

Where to send your completed postal vote application form

You can return your completed postal vote application form (PDF, 1.24 MB) by email to ero@barnet.gov.uk

Or you can post it to:

Electoral Services
London Borough of Barnet 
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale NW9 4EW

If your postal vote does not arrive

You will receive your postal ballot pack a few weeks before the election. This gives you longer to complete your ballot papers.

Phone Electoral Services on 020 8359 5577 or email ero@barnet.gov.uk if you do not get your postal ballot pack.

What to do when you get your postal vote

You will complete your ballot papers as normal.

Instructions on which envelope to use for ballot paper will be in your postal ballot pack.

Put your date of birth and signature where it is asked for. This is used to identify that you have filled in the ballot papers.

If there are a few of you in the household with postal votes, please make sure you complete your form (your name will be on the paperwork).

Return your completed postal vote to Barnet Electoral Services either by:

• post to Electoral Services, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, London NW9 4EW
• deliver it by hand on polling day at any polling station in Barnet before 10pm

Protect your postal vote from fraud 

When voting by post, you should mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret and seal the envelope yourself.

You will be asked to give your date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote. When you return your postal voting pack you will again be asked for your signature and date of birth, and these will be checked against those you have already provided to confirm your identity.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

When we need your postal vote sent back

Your postal vote must be received back by Polling Day.

If you forget to post it, it can be taken to your Polling Station on Polling Day as a last resort.

If you haven't posted your vote by election day

You must post your postal vote in sufficient time so that it can be delivered by Royal Mail by 10pm on the day of an election.

However, you can deliver it in person at any time up until 10pm on the day of an election, to:

The Returning Officer 
Electoral Services
London Borough of Barnet 
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale NW9 4EW

Please do not deliver to any other London Borough of Barnet Council office particularly on the day of an election.

You can also deliver your postal vote (not just the ballot paper but its envelope and the postal voting statement) to any polling station in your ward.

You cannot vote in person at the polling station if you have a postal vote.