Current and future elections

Ways to vote at an Election

In person

If you are registered and eligible to vote, you can vote in person at the polling station. We will send a poll card prior to an election telling you where your polling station is located and what photographic ID you can use to vote. You can only vote at the polling station location on your card.

When you arrive at the polling station, give your name and address to the election staff on duty inside the polling station and show them your ID. You will then be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people seeking election and how many candidates you can vote for.  Go to one of the polling booths and mark your ballot paper(s) in secrecy.  Fold your completed ballot paper(s) and place it/them in the ballot box.

If you do not receive a poll card at election time but think you should, contact Electoral Services.  Please note that you do not need to take your poll card with you to the polling station to be able to vote.

By post 

If you are registered to vote you can apply for a postal vote.

How to apply to vote by post

• You can apply online – this is probably the quickest and easiest way to apply.
• If you do not have the option to apply online, or would prefer to apply via a paper application, you can download a form.  Please print, complete and return the form via post or by hand to Electoral Services, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 5TT.   We will also accept a scanned copy of your form by email (elections@tewkesbury.gov.uk) if it is of a sufficient quality for processing purposes.
• If you are unable to download/print the application form, contact Electoral Services to arrange for a paper form to be sent.

When making your application you will need to prove your identity by providing your date of birth, National Insurance Number and signature (online applications will require an uploaded image of your usual signature).

You can apply for a postal vote for a particular election, a specific time period or for a maximum of three years (after which you will need to re-apply).

You must also re-apply if you move house or change your name.

Please note that deadlines apply if you decide to apply for, amend or cancel a postal vote in the run-up to an election. Therefore, please ensure that you make any application promptly, or that you contact us immediately if your circumstances change.

By proxy

If are registered to vote but know that you won’t be able to get to your polling station on polling day you can apply for a proxy vote i.e., someone you trust is appointed to cast your vote for you.

How to apply to vote by proxy

When making your application you will need to prove your identity by providing your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature on your application form.  You will also need to provide contact details for your proxy, including the address at which they are registered to vote.

Your proxy should:

• be over the age of 18
• be registered to vote
• be allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
• be someone you trust to vote on your behalf.

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

Your proxy must be able to vote for you at your specified polling station.  If this is not possible, they may want to apply to vote for you by post.  Your proxy will need to contact Electoral Services to obtain the postal proxy vote application form.

At the same election, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK.  If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, they can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

You can choose to apply for a proxy vote for a particular election, a particular type of election, or all elections you are eligible to vote in.

• If you’re applying to vote by proxy for a particular election, or if you live overseas or are a service voter, you can apply online – this is probably the quickest and easiest way to apply.
• If you want to apply for a proxy vote for a particular type of election only (for example, for council elections), you will need to contact the Electoral Services Team for an application form.
• Applications to vote by proxy for all other reasons can only be made by completing a paper form.  This is due to the requirement for the application to be supported by an attestation.

You can apply for a proxy vote if you won’t be able to go the polling station for the foreseeable future or a long period of time – up to a maximum of three years.  Situations that can be covered include:

• You have a disability.
• You are away on an educational course.
• You are away for work.
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant.
• You are registered as an anonymous elector.

All paper application forms can be accessed on the government’s website.