If you are unable to attend a polling station on polling day, you can apply to vote by post.
Postal votes can be sent from anywhere, inside or outside the United Kingdom.
If you vote by post, you are not required to provide photo ID.
If the address is outside the UK, it will take time to reach you and for you to return it in order for your vote to be counted.
Apply online
Apply online to vote by post through GOV.UK
Apply by post
Get the application to vote by post through the Electoral Commission website
Completed forms need to be returned to the following address:
Electoral Services
Leeds City Council
PO Box 898
Leeds
LS1 9UT
When we have received your form, we will let you know when your application has been processed.
Your ballot paper will be posted to you before each election you are allowed to vote in. You can also apply for a postal vote for one polling day or to vote by post for 3 years.
I’m unable to sign
If you are unable to sign because:
- of a disability or illness
- you are unable to read or write
- you are unable to sign in a consistent or distinctive manner
You can still apply to vote by post and waive the requirement of a signature. Please indicate on the application form the name and address of the person who has assisted you.
To apply you must already be
registered to vote and you will need to provide your date of birth and signature on the application form.
Issuing dates
If we receive your application by Thursday 4 April your pack will be posted out first-class on Thursday 18 April.
For applications received between Friday 5 April and the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 17 April packs will be posted out first-class on Tuesday 23 April.
Replacement postal vote packs
If you have not received postal vote pack or it has been damaged, is incomplete or you have made a mistake you can apply for a replacement pack.
We can only issue a replacement pack from Friday 26 April 2024.
From Thursday 25 April 2024 you will be able to tell us about the non-receipt, damage, incompleteness or the mistake you have made on this page, please wait until this date before contacting us.
If your postal vote has been damaged or is incomplete or if you have made a mistake you will need to return all of the part(s) of the pack you have before a replacement can be provided.
We will check that you are a postal voter and if your pack has already been returned. After these checks have been made we will prepare a replacement postal vote pack for you to collect.
The replacement postal vote pack will need to be collected from Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 1UR from Friday 26 April to 5pm on Thursday 2 May 2024 between the hours of 8.30 am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
By issuing a replacement postal vote, your original one will be cancelled. If the original one is received after completing this form please contact us immediately at
electors@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 222 4411.
Returning your postal vote pack
New rules mean your postal vote will be rejected if it is not returned correctly.
- The easiest and most convenient way to return your postal vote is by posting it in a Royal Mail post box using the pre-paid envelope provided (envelope B).
- You should allow plenty of time for your postal vote to reach us through the post. It must be received by the Returning Officer no later than 10pm on polling day.
- If you are hand delivering your completed postal vote, you can do this at a polling station or at the Electoral Services Office, Civic Hall, Leeds LS1 1UR.
- You will need to complete a form if you hand deliver your postal vote. The form asks for the number of postal votes you are handing in, if you are handing postal votes of other electors in and the reason why. You will also be required to provide your name and address. Our staff will help you with this.
- You may hand deliver your own and no more than 5 other postal votes per election.
- If you are a campaigner, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of close relatives or people you provide regular care for.
You cannot leave your postal vote at other council offices (including their post boxes), reception points or a polling station desk.
Making your vote secure
When voting by post, you should mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret, and seal the envelope yourself.
You will also be asked to give your date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote. This makes postal voting safe, because when you return your postal voting pack your signature and date of birth are checked against those you provided before to confirm your identity.
Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.
Completing your postal vote for an election
You will receive instructions with your ballot paper, but there are some important things to remember.
You can:
- use any pen or pencil as long as it would be clear and visible after the document is scanned
- send ballot papers and statements in the same envelope
- post the documents separately - we will match them up when they arrive
- open up and tape the envelope together if you accidentally seal the envelope without completing all the details
- use your own envelope when sending your ballot back, but it must be marked A or B
It is okay to make a mistake and you can alter your ballot paper with the correct vote as long as your intention is clear. Do not initial any of the changes.
We will not send you a new ballot paper if you post it back after making an error or one of the envelopes is missing.
This short video shows you what you need to do when completing you postal vote external link.
If you need additional help then call the helpline number shown on your pack.
Information we'll hold about you
We have a statutory obligation to retain certain information about you. To find out more detail about this,
read our privacy notice.
