Electoral Law

Recent changes to electoral law have meant that there have been some key changes to the way we register and vote.  These changes are as follows:

• Polling Hours have been extended to 7am-10pm
• The last day for requesting to vote by post is now 11 working days before the election
• If you are registered to vote by post at a particular address you will now need to provide a reason if you want your vote sent to a different address
• All postal vote applications will be confirmed in writing to the elector
• The Electoral Registration Officer now has the power to check the signature on a postal application against any other signature they hold for the applicant
• The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy remains at 6 working days before the election, however "emergency" proxy votes for reasons of physical incapability can be made up to 5pm on the day of the election.
• Replacement postal voting papers can be issued up to 5pm on the day of the election.
• A member of the Returing Officer's staff can collect postal votes handed in to polling stations throughout the day of the election

To find out more on electoral law, please visit the Office of Public Sector Information or the Electoral Commission.