What to do if your ballot has not arrived in time

Postal vote delays are being “urgently” investigated following concerns of late ballots raised in at least 91 constituencies, The Telegraph revealed on Monday.

Royal Mail has faced backlash for failing to deliver some ballots in time for the general election today, leaving voters at risk of not being able to return their postal slips.

Kevin Hollinrake, the postal affairs minister, criticised the postal service for not recruiting “the right number of people” to deliver postal votes to the estimated 10 million people who applied for one.

Royal Mail has drafted in extra staff to work tonight to ensure ballots are collected from sorting offices and reach counts before polls close at 10pm. 

However, many voters remain concerned about how to make sure they can have their say. Here is what to do to ensure your postal vote will definitely be counted. 

What should I do if I have not received my postal vote?

If you are yet to receive a ballot in the post, you will still be able to vote in the general election.

Anyone in this situation must request a replacement postal ballot pack from their local authority in person, which can be done until 5pm today.

To do this, you will be required to show ID at your local authority’s election office – not a polling station – usually located at their main council building or town hall.

If able to attend an election office, most local authorities will offer voters the option of completing their replacement ballot on site and handing it back immediately to ensure it is counted.

Voters may also nominate someone to collect this replacement pack on their behalf and one person can drop off up to five completed postal vote packs for friends and family.

You can find more information on where your constituency’s election office is located on the Electoral Commission website.