Look out for your General Election 2024 postal vote pack

Ballot papers are being sent out to registered voters who had applied for a postal vote before May 30.

Nicholas Brain, North Somerset Council’s Returning Officer, said: 

“Postal votes will start hitting doormats this week with more to follow once the deadline to apply has passed.

“We strongly advise you to complete your postal vote and return it via Royal Mail as soon as you can. The deadline for receipt of postal votes is 10pm on Thursday 4 July.”

There is still time for registered voters to apply for a postal vote in time for the General Election. The deadline to apply is 5pm this Wednesday (17 June). The quickest and easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

The remaining postal vote packs will be dispatched by Royal Mail on Wednesday 26 June.

There are now three parliamentary constituencies in the North Somerset area: North Somerset, Weston-super-Mare and part of the new Wells and Mendip Hills constituency.

Voters in the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency will receive their postal vote packs from, and should return them to, Somerset Council.

Postal votes issued by North Somerset Council can be handed in at the Town Hall or a polling station, but there have been changes in the law, as Nicholas explains:

“If you choose to return your postal vote by hand, you must physically hand it to an official and complete a short ‘return of postal voting documents’ form – this is a legal requirement.

“To return your postal vote at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare, please ask at reception between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and a member of the elections team will come and meet you with the form for you to complete.

“Or you can return your postal vote to a polling station between 7am and 10pm on the day of the election, Thursday 4 July. Polling station staff will give you the form to complete. You can find your nearest polling station at https://wheredoivote.co.uk.

“By law, any postal votes that are just left at a polling station or council office, without a completed form must be rejected. You can now only hand in your own postal vote and the postal vote of up to five other voters.”

Alternatively, if voters know they are not going be able to vote in person on Thursday 4 July, they can apply for a proxy vote.

This is when a voter nominates someone they trust to cast their vote on their behalf. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday June. Applications can be made at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.

With the deadline to apply for a free voter ID fast approaching, registered voters who intend to vote in person at a polling station are also being urged to make sure they have an acceptable form of photo ID. Electors must present an approved type of photo ID to polling station staff before they can be issued a ballot paper.

Valid forms of ID include a UK passport, driving licence, blue badge, older person’s bus pass and a disabled person’s bus pass. A full list of accepted IDs can be found on the council’s website.

Registered voters who wish to vote at a polling station but do not have an accepted photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline at 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

The council’s website has more information about voting in General Election 2024, including a full list of candidates standing the North Somerset and Weston-super-Mare parliamentary constituencies. Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ge2024.

North Somerset Council’s elections team can be contacted on 01934 634 909 or by emailing electoral.services@n-somerset.gov.uk.