How to Vote
Vote by Post
You can receive a postal vote if you apply eleven working days before an election is held.
Postal voting is convenient as you don't have to go to a polling station to vote.
Renewing existing postal vote applications
Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years.
All postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 are required to re-apply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026.
If a new application is not received by the end of January 2026, the electoral registration officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote in a polling station unless a new postal vote application is received.
You can check when you applied (if you’ve forgotten), and renew your postal vote online at Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK
You can also contact the council’s elections team on 01200 414411/414424 and ask for a paper application form.
As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number – your identity will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails, we will ask you to provide evidence of your identity.
- Upload a photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper
How to apply for a postal vote
The best way to apply for a postal vote is online. A national insurance number is needed to provide proof of identity, together with a signature.
If you wish to apply online, please visit - Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Voters can still apply for a postal vote by printing off and completing an application form which can then be sent to the Electoral Services Team, Council Offices, Church Walk, Clitheroe BB7 2RA.
If you need any help when applying, please contact the Electoral Services team: 01200 414411.
About your postal vote
Postal votes can be sent anywhere, either inside or outside the United Kingdom (if, for example, you are going on holiday). Remember, though, that if the address is outside the UK, it will take time to reach you and for you to return it for your vote to be counted.
If you move house, you must tell the Electoral Services Team immediately, or you may lose your postal vote.
Before the election you will be sent a polling card advising you of your postal voting arrangement and the dates you should expect the delivery of your ballot paper postal pack to arrive.
When your ballot paper postal pack arrives, it will contain your ballot paper, a ballot paper envelope, a postal voting statement and a return envelope.
Please ensure that the statement is completed with your signature and date of birth as failure to do this will make your vote invalid.
The video below shows instructions on how to complete your postal vote pack and vote by post.
The video is embedded from YouTube. By clicking play you will be accepting Cookies set by YouTube.com.
Further information can also be found on the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk