Postal voting

Voting by post is a quick, easy and secure alternative to voting at a polling station. Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote, you do not need a reason to vote by post. 

When applying to vote by post, you must provide us with your date of birth and signature - these are checked against the completed postal vote pack at an election to keep your vote secure. On the application you must also provide your national insurance number, as you must verify your identity when applying to vote by post. From 31 October 2023, applications to vote by post will be rejected where a national insurance number is not provided. 

How to apply 

To complete an application to vote by post on the secure government portal, visit www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote  

You will be required to provide your national insurance number, as well as submitting a photograph of your signature. Please ensure the photograph of your signature is on plain, white paper and that the photograph is clear and light. 

If you are unable to submit an application on the secure government portal, please email elections@hartlepool.gov.uk to request a paper application form.     

Return your completed paper form to us either: 

  • As a scanned attachment to an email to elections@hartlepool.gov.uk.  Please ensure that the image is of good quality and your signature is clear. Attachments should be sent in an acceptable file format (PDF). 

  • or post it to us at Elections Office, Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8AY

Please note that you must print the form and provide your physical ("wet") signature using black ink on the application before you return your form.  If you do not have access to a printer, please email elections@hartlepool.gov.uk and we will post the application form to you. 

The deadline for making an application for a postal vote for an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day. 

If you have any questions regarding completing the postal vote application form or voting by post, please email elections@hartlepool.gov.uk

Completing and returning your postal vote

When voting by post, you should:

  • complete your ballot paper in secret
  • complete the postal voting statement
  • put the ballot and statement in the envelopes provided
  • seal the envelope yourself

Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it’s counted.

If you’re too late to post your ballot paper back, you can hand it in to your local Electoral Registration Office or bring it to your local polling station by 10pm on polling day.