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Vote by post
You can vote by post instead of going to your polling station.
If you have a postal vote, you can't vote at a polling station.
There are two ways to apply to vote by post:
If you can't print the form, you can email electoral.services@merton.gov.uk and ask us to send one to you by post.
Once registered to vote by post, you will receive a postal vote pack containing your ballot paper(s) and a postal vote statement. You mark the ballot paper(s), complete the postal vote statement and return it to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.
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 statement at an election to keep your vote secure.
If you cannot give a consistent signature due to a disability or an illness, you may be eligible to have the requirement for you to provide your signature on your form waived and nominate somebody to help you complete the form. Please email electoral.services@merton.gov.uk to request a postal vote waiver application form.
The deadline to apply for new, or to amend existing postal vote arrangements for the London Mayoral and Assembly elections on 2 May was 5pm 17 April.
The dates on which postal votes are due to be despatched are as follows:
| Application received by | Postal vote dispatched around |
|---|---|
| 21 March 2024 | 18 April 2024 |
| 9 April 2024 (5pm) | 19 April 2024 |
| 17 April 2024 (5pm) | 24 April 2024 |
A guide to completing your postal vote
Video transcript
Have you just received your postal vote pack? This video shows you what you need to do when completing your postal vote. If you need help, please call the helpline number shown on your pack. Your postal vote is easy to complete - just carry on watching.
First of all, carefully take everything out of the envelope. You will have received a postal voting statement with a ballot paper attached by means of a perforation, there may be additional loose ballot papers in your pack. An envelope marked A, an envelope marked B. Detach the top section of the form where your name and address is printed and keep it to refer to the instructions. Attached Ballot papers should be separated from the postal voting statement by carefully tearing along the perforation, read the instructions on the postal voting statement, then using a black pen write your date of birth in the boxes in the format day, day, month, month, and your full year of birth. Then sign your name in the box making sure you keep within the border.
Every ballot paper tells you how many votes you have. Complete each one in private following the instructions given at the top of each ballot paper. The ballot paper shown here is just an example, depending on the type of election your ballot papers may look different to this and might also be a different colour.
Place all completed ballot papers into envelope A. Fold if necessary, making sure the number on the back of one of the ballot papers shows through the window of envelope A and then seal it.
Turn your postal voting statement over to show the return address. Do not fold it. Put the sealed envelope A and postal voting statement into envelope B.
Making sure that the return address on the back of the postal voting statement shows through the window of envelope B.
Seal envelope B and post without delay. Postage is free.
Please note if you have requested a postal vote, you will not be able to vote in person at the polling station at this election. If you make a mistake or lose your postal vote, you can get a replacement before 5pm on the day of the election. For help with this and any aspect of your postal vote, call the helpline number shown on your postal voting pack.
Vote by proxy
If you can't go to your polling station you can apply to vote by proxy. This means that someone can vote on your behalf. This is useful if you are overseas and it would be difficult to return your postal vote in time.
Your proxy must be legally able to vote and they cannot vote on behalf of more than two people unless they are closely related to them.
There are two ways to apply for a proxy vote for an election:
Please complete the appropriate application form and email it to electoral.services@merton.gov.uk.
You have to give a reason for a proxy application. If applying for a long-term proxy you also normally need to have it countersigned. An emergency proxy vote application must be countersigned.
The deadline to apply for new, or to amend existing proxy vote arrangements for the London Mayoral and Assembly elections on 2 May was 5pm Wednesday 24 April.
Emergency proxy vote
In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote. This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline. These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.
Please complete the appropriate application form below and email it to electoral.services@merton.gov.uk.