If you don’t think you can make it to the polling station on 2 May to cast your vote in the local elections, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out.
If you can’t vote in person you can vote by post or by appointing someone you trust to vote in your place, which is known as a proxy vote.
Applying for a postal vote
You can apply for a postal vote for a single election on a specific date, for a specific period, or permanently. If you are not already registered for a postal vote, and you want one for the election on 2 May, you need to apply by 5pm on 17 April.
The City Council must collect signatures and dates of birth to check postal votes cast at election time to prevent and detect electoral fraud and to protect votes. You can now apply online, go the the Apply For a Postal Vote webpage.
If you need a paper form you can download a postal vote application form from the Electoral Commission. Once complete, the form needs to be delivered to the Elections Office, Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1BX. Alternatively, you can scan the completed form and email it to postalvote@oxford.gov.uk
Applying for a proxy vote
An alternative to a postal vote is a proxy vote, where you can appoint someone to cast your vote for you at the polling station. You can apply online on the Apply For a Proxy Vote webpage. To apply for a proxy vote, you have to give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person. This may be because you're going to be away or have a physical condition which means you can't get to your polling station.
If you need a form you can download the form from the Electoral Commission. You will then need to complete and sign the form and return it to the Elections Office, Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1BX. Alternatively, you can scan the completed form and email it to postalvote@oxford.gov.uk The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for this election is 5pm on 24 April.
Comment
“No one needs to miss out on voting in this election just because they can’t make it down to their polling station. Postal and proxy voting provides an easy alternative for those who can’t or don’t want to vote in person. Applying is straight forward (you can now apply online) but please don’t leave applications until the last minute, especially if you’re sending them to us around the Easter period when there might be delays in the post.”
Caroline Green, Returning Officer, Oxford City Council
For more information on elections, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit the Electoral Commission website.
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