Voting by post or proxy

Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting.

You can apply for a postal vote for one election, a set period of time or for up to three years. Postal votes are sent out before election day.

If you live overseas, consider how long it may take your postal vote to arrive as this could affect us receiving your vote in time to be counted.

Apply for a postal vote

Apply for a postal vote online (paper forms on request electoral.registration@blackpool.gov.uk)

When completing the online form, you will need to provide:

• Your name and the full address of the property you are registered at
• National Insurance number
• Date of birth

You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

Every time you vote by post, you need to fill in a postal voting statement with your signature and date of birth. The signature and date of birth on the statement will be checked against your original application to make sure nobody else can use your vote

If you cannot sign the application form, or can't sign the same way every time, please contact the electoral services team on 01253 477490 or 01253 477161 to request an application to waive the requirement to provide a signature.

Postal votes are now only valid for a maximum of three years under the new rules in the Election Act 2022.

If you vote by post, you may need to reapply by 31 January 2026. If you don’t reapply, your postal vote will be cancelled.

The quickest and easiest way is to reapply is online 

You’ll need to provide personal details, including your National Insurance number. You will also need to upload a clear photo of your handwritten signature (in black ink on plain paper)

If you cannot apply online, you can download and print a postal vote application form and return by post to Electoral services, Blackpool Council, PO Box 4, Blackpool FY1 1NA

We will contact everyone who needs to renew their postal vote

• If we have your email address – you will get an email from the GOV Notify service (electoral.services.blackpool.council@notifications.service.gov.uk)
• If we don’t have your email address, you will get a letter inviting you to reapply

If you cannot download the form, request a paper application by emailing electoral.registration@blackpool.gov.uk or by calling 01253 477490 or 01253 477161

If you cannot provide a signature

If you cannot provide a consistent signature (for example, due to a disability), renew your postal vote online and explain the reason in the relevant section.

Voting by proxy means that you can appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. Proxy voting is convenient if you are unable to get to your polling station on election day. Your proxy can either vote by post or vote at a polling station.

To apply for a proxy vote, both you and your proxy must be individually registered and meet any of the following criteria:

• You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election e.g. if you are away on holiday
• You have physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• Your employment means you cannot go to polling station on election day
• Your attendance on an education course means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• You are a British citizen living overseas (Parliamentary only)
• You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's armed forces
• Your proxy must be able to vote in the type of election concerned. Your proxy may not vote for more than two people unless they are a close relative of you

If you are unsure if you are individually registered, please contact our office on 01253 477490 or 01253 477161 to check.

The deadline for applications to vote by proxy is 6 working days before polling day. Please note the electoral services team must have received it by this point.

Apply for a proxy vote

You will need to apply for a proxy vote online.

You’ll need:

• Your National Insurance number or any other identity document, for example a birth certificate
• The address where your proxy is registered to vote
• Contact details for your proxy

You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper

As proxy voting is not an on-demand service, you may have to get someone to support your application to confirm that your reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid. Please read the notes that accompany the application form carefully to find out if you need someone to support your application.