How to vote

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Vote in person at a polling station

If you are voting in person, you must bring photo ID. Check the list of accepted forms of Voter ID on the Electoral Commission website.

If you’re registered and eligible to vote, you’ll receive a poll letter telling you where and when to vote.

You don’t need to bring your poll letter to the polling station.
If you don’t receive a poll letter, it’s best to check if you are registered.

What to expect at the polling station:

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm
Provide your name, address and photo ID to polling station staff
If you’re registered, you’ll be issued your ballot paper(s) and this will list the candidates you can vote for
Go into a polling booth and follow the displayed instructions – you can use your own pen
Fold your ballot paper and put it in the ballot box

The Polling staff are able to help you, and there is also a range of support available for voters with additional needs. If you have any feedback or reasonable suggestions on how we can improve our existing offer, please contact Electoral Services.

Postal voting

You can apply for a postal vote for a single election or a period of up to 3 years. You do not need a reason to request a postal vote, however, if you need your postal ballot papers to be sent to an alternative address, you will need to supply a reason why.

A Postal Vote pack contains your ballot paper, security statement, instructions and two envelopes.

To apply for a Postal Vote, you will need the following:

To be on the electoral register
Your name, address and date of birth
National Insurance Number
Your signature (An image of your signature on plain, white paper if applying online)

Your signature will be stored securely so that we can match your signature when you return your postal ballot paper and security statement. If this information does not match, then your vote will not be counted.

If you cannot find or do not have a National Insurance Number, or it cannot be matched, you will be contacted by the Electoral Registration Officer for further information to prove your identity. If you cannot supply documentary evidence, then you will have to provide an attestation.

You must have completed an application to vote by post at least 11 working days before an election.

Apply for a postal vote

Your ballot paper pack will arrive in the post with instructions you must follow
On the postal voting statement, you must sign it and put your date of birth – this statement is scanned and will verify your identify
Cast your vote and mark your ballot paper, seal in the envelope provided
Place both the sealed envelope (containing your marked ballot paper) and the signed and dated security statement into the outer envelope; and seal.
Please post your vote back as quickly as possible to make sure it’s counted
If you miss the return date deadline, you can still take your vote to the polling station by 10pm

If your postal vote is spoiled – do not throw it away.

To get a replacement you need to contact Electoral Services 01472 324160 and they’ll need your spoiled paper before they can issue a new one.

Find a step-by-step guide at: How to vote by post by the Electoral Commission.

If you already vote by post and something changes (like your name or address), it’s important that you apply for a new postal vote.

Rule changes for postal votes: From 2 May 2024, there are new rules to the handling of postal votes. Read more at Postal voting new rules.

Proxy voting

A proxy vote is when you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf if you’re unable to go to the polling station in person.

To apply for a proxy vote, both yourself and your trusted appointed person must be on the Electoral Register.

Apply for a proxy vote

A proxy vote arrangement can be in place for one of the following:

an indefinite period
a definite period
a particular poll

Everyone is entitled to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election. However, if you’re applying for a definite or indefinite period, you must provide a valid reason.

Accepted reasons:

Blindness
Other specified disability
Occupation, employment, service, or attendance on a course (details required)
Registered as a service voter or overseas voter
Registered as an anonymous elector
Travel by sea or air is necessary to reach your polling station from your registered address

In some cases, you may also need to provide an attestation to support your application.

An emergency proxy allows you to appoint someone to vote on your behalf after the normal proxy deadline has passed, but only in specific, legally defined circumstances.

You may apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day.

You must have experienced an emergency after the standard proxy deadline, which is usually 5pm, six working days before the election.

Who Can Be Your Proxy?

Your proxy must be registered and eligible to vote in the election.

A person can act as proxy for up to four people, but no more than two can be domestic electors (i.e., not overseas or service voters).

Valid Reasons for an Emergency Proxy

You can apply if any of the following happened unexpectedly:

1. Medical Emergency – A sudden illness or medical issue that prevents you from voting in person.

2. Work‑Related Emergency – You are unexpectedly required to work, or your work situation changes after the normal proxy deadline.

3. Lost, Stolen, Damaged or Destroyed Photo ID – If your voter ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you may apply for an emergency proxy.

How to Apply

You must complete the appropriate emergency proxy application form:

Medical emergency form – Application to vote by emergency proxy in England based on disability

Work/employment emergency form – Application to vote by emergency proxy in England based on occupation, service or employment
Lost/damaged ID emergency form – Application to vote by emergency proxy based on photo ID

Forms must be returned to the Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on polling day. The form must have a ‘wet’ (not digital) signature, but we can accept scanned images over email.

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to vote in the next election you need to be registered. (Register to vote – GOV.UK)

Yes, you can apply for an absent vote (postal or proxy vote). Please check dates and deadlines to ensure you don’t miss out. You may also be eligible for an emergency proxy vote.

You may be able to apply for a proxy or emergency proxy vote.

Contact details

Elections, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HU

Elections team contact form

Telephone: 01472 324160