Postal and proxy voting

Postal votes

To qualify for a postal, vote you must first be registered to vote. If you plan to request a postal vote, register to vote well before the deadline, in case we need to ask you for ID to verify your identity.

Apply for a postal vote

Postal votes are valid for 3 years. If you already have one, you’ll need to apply for a new postal vote when it expires.

If you applied on or before 30 January 2024, you need to reapply by 31 January 2026. If you do not, your postal vote will expire and be cancelled.

Apply for a postal vote on GOV.UK.

If you cannot apply online, you can ask for a paper application by emailing electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk.

If your postal vote is cancelled because you did not reapply by 31 January 2026, you can still reapply. However, you will need to provide your signature and date of birth (personal identifiers) again. You can apply for a new postal vote up to 5pm, 11 working days before an election.

When your vote will arrive

Postal votes to overseas destinations are sent out first. However, if you’re overseas we strongly recommend that you nominate a proxy to vote for you rather than apply for a postal vote.

Postal votes are always sent by first class post.

Checking your identity on your postal vote

On your application to vote by post you must provide your date of birth and signature. These are called your ‘personal identifiers’.

When you vote by post, you complete and return a statement giving your personal identifiers. We check these against the ones on your application to make sure they match. If they do not match, your vote cannot be counted. This is to stop someone else from using your vote.

Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no one can see how you voted.

If you cannot provide a signature, or cannot write one consistently due to a disability or because you’re unable to read or write, you can still apply for a postal vote. For more information and to find out how to apply without a signature , email electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 3232.

Vote by proxy

You can appoint someone else to  vote on your behalf if you have a valid reason. For example, if you’re:

• ill
• unable to get to a polling station
• abroad during the election

You’ll have to give a reason why you cannot vote in person and your application may need to be supported by your doctor or employer.