Postal and Proxy Voting

Anybody who is registered on the Electoral Register can apply to vote by post.

From the 31^st October 2023, the way in which you apply for a postal vote, the information required on an application and the maximum period a postal vote arrangement can be in place has changed.

The changes arise because of The Elections Act 2022.

You can apply for a postal vote for a particular election or referendum, for a specific time, or (as of the 31st October 2023), for a maximum period of 3 years. After 3 years, postal voting arrangements will expire, and you will be required to re-apply for a postal vote.

We will be in contact with all electors in advance of the expiry of their postal voting arrangements to request a new application.

Please read the following sections carefully to understand the new application process and information requirements when applying for a postal vote.

Electors can apply to vote by post online.

You can apply online by clicking here:

Apply to vote by post

If you are unable to apply online, you can download, complete and return the paper application form below:

Download a postal vote application form 

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You must complete all sections of the application.

You must supply the following information on your application as these details will be used to verify your identity:

• National Insurance Number
• Date of Birth
• Signature

Identity Verification Requirements FAQs:

If you're unable to complete your application online, print the application form or need it in an accessible format, contact our Electoral Services Team using the contact details at the end of this page.

If you complete your postal vote application via the online service, this will be submitted digitally to us for processing.

If you complete a paper application form, you can return this via one of the following methods:

You can scan your completed form to: elections@midsussex.gov.uk

Or you can return by post to:

Electoral Services
Mid Sussex District Council
Oaklands, Oaklands Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 1SS

During an election or referendum period, the cut off time for applying for a postal vote is 5pm - 11 working days before polling day.

It is important that you complete and return your application form as far in advance of this deadline where possible. This will enable the determination process for your application to be completed in as far in advance of polling day as possible and will assist us in ensuring quick dispatch of your postal voting ballot pack.

Your postal voting ballot pack can be sent to:

• Your home address, or;
• A different address where you will be staying on the day of the election, or;
• An address abroad.

Please note:

• Postal voting ballot packs cannot be sent until after the candidate nomination process has closed and ballot papers have been printed.
• If you are abroad (and outside Europe), you may not have enough time to send back your ballot paper before the election or referendum. In this circumstance, it may be better to apply for a proxy vote instead. See proxy voting for more information.

Please follow the instructions provided in your pack on how to complete your postal vote.

You must supply the required information on your postal voting statement for us to verify your postal vote when returned. Namely, please ensure you correctly complete your:

• Date of Birth
• Signature (not applicable if you have a waiver applied)

Lost Postal Voting Ballot Packs

If your postal voting ballot pack has been lost or you did not receive this, we can only issue a replacement from 4 working days before polling day up until 5pm on polling day.

Please contact our Electoral Services Team using the contact details at the end of this page if you require a replacement.

Spoilt Postal Voting Ballot Packs

If you have spoilt your postal voting ballot pack, we can issue a replacement up until 5pm on polling day.

Please contact our Electoral Services Team using the contact details at the end of this page if you require a replacement.

Please return your postal voting ballot pack to us in the pre-paid envelope provided via post.  If you lose the envelope, you can request a replacement or return the pack to the following address:

Electoral Services
Mid Sussex District Council
Oaklands, Oaklands Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 1SS

You may also return your postal voting ballot pack at any polling station between their opening hours of 7am-10pm.

You will be required to complete a form should you wish to return your pack in person.

Please note:

• From the 1^st December 2023, it will be a criminal offence for political parties and campaigners to handle completed postal votes and postal vote envelopes.
• In addition, voters will not be allowed to hand more than 5 postal voting ballot packs (in addition to their own) at any polling station.

All postal voting ballot packs must reach us by 10pm on polling day.

Proxy voting is where you appoint a trusted person to vote on your behalf.

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you.

From the 31^st October 2023, the way in which you apply for proxy voting will change.

As a result of these changes, all electors with existing proxy arrangements in place prior to the 31^st October 2023 will be required to re-apply for their proxy by the 31^st January 2024.  

Please read the following sections carefully to understand the changes affecting proxy voting.

How you can apply for a proxy vote will vary depending on the type of elector you are, and the type of proxy vote application required.

For most electors, you can now apply online by clicking here:

Apply to vote by proxy

However, for certain types of proxy voting applications – a paper-based application form will continue to be the only method of application.

The length of time you can apply for a proxy voting arrangement will depend on type of proxy vote you are requesting and the reasons behind your request.

In addition, all new proxy vote applications (excluding emergency proxies) will require the provision of your National Insurance Number as part of new identity checks.

Details on the types of proxy voting applications and how to apply (including links to paper-based application forms) can be found detailed in the PDF below:

Proxy Vote Types & Application Process 

If you complete your proxy vote application via the online service, this will be submitted digitally to us for processing.

If you complete a paper application form, you can return this via one of the following methods:

You can scan your completed form to: elections@midsussex.gov.uk

Or you can return by post to:

Electoral Services
Mid Sussex District Council
Oaklands, Oaklands Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 1SS

The cut-off time for requesting a proxy vote is 5pm – 6 working days before polling day.

• The elector and their appointed proxy must be registered to vote.
• The proxy must be eligible to vote in the elections(s) they have been appointed for.
• A proxy can vote for a maximum of 4 people. No more than 2 of those people can be domestic electors. Domestic electors are voters who are neither overseas voters nor a service voter.

If you have an emergency that means you cannot go to the polling station in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

To apply for an emergency proxy, download and complete one of the application forms below.

• Emergency proxy based on disability, hospital detainment or medical emergency.
• Emergency proxy based on occupation, service or employment.
• Emergency proxy based on grounds relating to voter ID.

Please note:

• Your National Insurance Number is not required for an emergency proxy application.
• Your nominated proxy must be registered to vote and be eligible to vote in the type of election(s) you are appointing them for, and they must have an acceptable form of ID.

You can scan your completed form to: elections@midsussex.gov.uk

Or you can return by post to:

Electoral Services
Mid Sussex District Council
Oaklands, Oaklands Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 1SS

If you have nominated a proxy, but then change your mind and wish to vote yourself, you can apply to cancel your proxy vote by contacting the Electoral Services Team using the contact details at the end of this page.

The deadline to cancel a proxy vote is before 5pm - 11 working days before polling day.

For further information on absent voting, please visit the Electoral Commission website here:

Postal Voting: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post

Proxy Voting: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy

Tel: 01444-477003
Email: elections@midsussex.gov.uk