People in South Ribble are being urged to use postal voting for the local elections in May.
Elections are due to take place on May 6 for Lancashire County Council, and the Lancashire Police & Crime Commissioner.
Elections are planned to take place despite the coronavirus.
Ribble Valley Conservative Association is encouraging voters to ease potential strain on polling stations by using a postal vote instead.
For the general election in December 2019, more than one in five of those who voted did so by post.
If you wish to Apply for a Postal Vote you can download an application form at:
The deadline to apply for a postal vote for elections is 5pm on Tuesday, April 20, but residents are being asked to apply as soon as possible to help manage increased demand.
If the elections are postponed, all postal vote applications made for May 6 will be valid for the rescheduled date. Anyone with questions should contact:
Electoral Services
Civic Centre
West Paddock
Leyland
PR25 1DH
Or Call South Ribble Council’s Electoral Services Team on 01772 625 625 or you can Email: electoralservices@southribble.gov.uk
Peter Mullineaux, the Electoral Coordinator for Ribble Valley Conservative Association in South Ribble states, “It is always important people exercise their democratic right, and an easy way to do so, in the safest way possible, is by registering for postal voting. If you do, you can opt to vote by post at future elections. This will be one of the most logistically challenging elections we’ve ever seen, and it is important we do everything we can to make them happen as smoothly as possible. Postal Voting is is an easy and convenient way of voting, if you are not able to get to the polling station.”
How do I apply for postal voting
To vote by post, please download and fill in this form:
After completing the form sign it, and send it back to Ribble Valley Borough Council at the Address above.. You need to sign your application form personally because a copy of your signature is needed for voting security reasons.
Please remember that there is always a last day to receive postal vote applications in time for a particular election, in this set of Elections: Tuesday April 20. You are strongly advised to complete and send in your application early.
Who can apply for a postal vote?
To apply for a postal vote, you must be:
- aged 18 or over;
- and be on the Electoral Register
The electoral register lists the name and address of everyone who has registered to vote in
Note: You do not need to give a reason, or have the application form countersigned, to get a postal vote.
Where can I have my postal vote sent to?
Postal Votes can be sent to any address, in the UK or overseas, like:
- your home address;
- any other address that you give;
- where you will be staying on holiday.
Note: Please consider if there will be enough time to get and return your ballot paper, by election day.
This is very important for addresses outside the UK.
When will I receive my postal voting papers?
Postal votes are usually sent out about two weeks before election day.
Once you have got it, mark your vote on the ballot paper.
Make sure you send it back, so it arrives with us by the close of poll (10pm on election day).
Note: If it arrives later than this your vote will not be counted.
How do I use my postal vote?
- Complete your ballot paper in secret, on your own.
- Do not let anyone else vote for you.
- Do not let anyone else see your vote.
- Do not give the ballot paper to anyone.
- Put the ballot paper in the envelope and seal it up.
- Complete and sign the postal voting statement which is attached to the ballot paper envelope marked 'A'.
- Put the envelope marked 'A' (with you ballot paper inside), into the larger envelope marked ‘B’ and seal it.
How do I return my postal vote?
- Take it to the post box yourself, or hand it in at:
Civic Centre
West Paddock
Leyland
Lancashire
PR25 1DH
- You can also take it to your local polling station, on the day of the election day.
What if I move home?
If you move house, you must tell the Electoral Registration Officer right away, or you may lose your postal vote.
