Postal and proxy voting arrangements
Postal voting arrangements
If you are registered to vote, you can apply to vote by post.
You do not have to give a reason for doing this.
Postal votes are sent out a week before an election and can be
delivered anywhere either inside, or outside the United Kingdom
(if, for example, you are on holiday). Remember though that if the
address is outside the UK, it will take time to reach you and for
you to return it in order for your vote to be counted.
Please remember that there is always a last day to receive
postal vote applications in time for a particular election. This
day and time will be advertised closer to the election date.
The completed form must be printed out and returned
to our office no later than 5pm Wednesday 18th April
2012.
You are strongly advised to complete and send in your
application early. Don't wait until the election date is
known. If you move house you must tell us immediately, or you
may lose your postal vote.
You need to sign your postal vote application
New regulations have been introduced to make postal voting at
elections more secure. As part of this process all postal vote
applications must include a signature and date of birth.
The information on the forms is stored electronically and used
to compare against the signature and date of birth given on the
statement to be returned with your postal vote at future
elections.
Postal vote application form
Download a copy of the application form for a postal vote.
Postal vote application
form (45kb Word doc)
Proxy voting arrangements
What is Proxy voting?
A proxy vote is where you can appoint someone
to vote on your behalf (proxy) either at your polling station or by
post (postal proxy). If you have appointed a proxy but then
find you are able to attend at the polling station in person, you
can do so providing your proxy has not already voted on your
behalf.
How do I apply for a proxy vote?
If you are a registered elector with
Rochdale MBC you may apply to vote by proxy at anytime during the
year. However on the occasion of an election the application must
be delivered to Electoral Services no later than 5pm
on Wednesday 25th April 2012.
You will need to complete nd return a proxy
vote application form stating who you would like to vote on your
behalf and for how long you will require the proxy vote.
Regulations require applicants to supply a date of birth and
current signature to help prevent fraudulent claims. If you are
unable to supply a current signature please contact Electoral
Services.
Who can be my proxy?
This person must be legally entitled and
willing to vote for you and can be a family member, friend,
neighbour or anyone else that you can trust to cast your vote
correctly. A person can only act as a proxy for two people at each
election to whom they are not related and/or any number of close
relatives.
Are there different types of proxy voting?
Yes, you can apply for a permanent proxy vote
which is only available to certain people on the grounds of health,
employment or full time education commitments. The form may need to
be supported by a suitably qualified person as listed in the notes
supplied with the form.
You can also apply for a proxy vote for a
particular election. This type of proxy vote is available for any
reason and you do not need supporting by a qualified person.
At the time of an election, if you are
suddenly physically incapacitated or taken ill after 5.00pm on the
6th working day before the election, you can apply to vote by proxy
for medical reasons up until 5.00pm on polling day.
Will you send details to my proxy?
Yes, once your application has been accepted a
letter will be sent to your proxy to confirm the arrangement.
What if my proxy is unable to attend at my polling
station?
If your proxy is unable to attend at the
polling station they can apply to have your ballot paper sent to
them. This would then become a postal proxy. On the application
form they will have to provide their date of birth and signature.
At the time of an election there would be a deadline to receive a
completed application form for this facility.
How will my proxy know when and how to vote for me?
Your proxy will be sent details on how to cast
your vote approx 6 days before the day of election.
Proxy vote application form
Download a copy of the application form for a proxy vote.
Proxy vote application form
(45kb Word doc)