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Voting by post

Instead of going to your polling station you can apply to vote by post.

You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you. The postal vote can be sent to any address, even abroad, but do bear in mind that your ballot paper must be returned to us before 10.00pm on the day of poll. You do not need photo ID to vote by post.

Download postal voting application form on the electoral commission website

Once you have completed this form you will need to print and return it to us at the following address:

Electoral Services,
Flintshire County Council,
County Hall,
Mold
CH7 6NR

If you don't have access to a printer, then you can email register@flintshire.gov.uk to request that we post an application form to you.

You can complete and return this form at any time, but the deadline for the receipt of your application form is 5pm, 11 working days before the day of poll.

You need to complete a new postal vote application if you have moved house or changed your name.

Don’t forget make sure you’re registered to vote and if not you can apply online https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before polling day.

Find out more about how to vote by post

Elections Act 2022 – Changes you will see to postal voting

You have the option to apply for a postal vote for Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections ONLY via a new central government online system https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Electors applying for a postal vote for these two election types will require their identity to be verified with DWP records when applying online but also when applying via a paper application.Your application for these two election types will cover you for a maximum period of three years. You will need to re-apply by the third 31 January after your application has been granted. A notice informing you of the need to reapply will be sent prior to this at the end of that time.

At a Parliamentary or Police and Crime Commissioner election, there will also be a limit to how many postal votes an elector can hand in at any polling station or council building. You will be allowed to take your own, and up to five others.
At these two election types, political parties and campaigners will be banned from handling postal vote packs on behalf of electors unless they are handing in their own, a close relative or someone for whom they provide regular care or for whom regular care is provided by an organisation which employs or engages them.

For Senedd and Local Government elections you will not be able to apply online for a postal vote but will have to complete a paper application. You can request one of these forms from your elections office or go online to download this form from the Electoral Commission website. No ID verification is required for these two election types.

Your application for these two election types can cover you for an indefinite period provided you continue to refresh your signature every five years. A request to refresh your signature will be sent to you by the elections office at the required time.

For electors who have a postal vote in place before 31 October 2023 - you do not need to do anything further. The elections office will contact you when you need to renew your postal votes for each election type. 

When did the changes come into force?

The process for a three yearly application process for postal voters who apply for Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections began on 31 October 2023. Electors who have an existing postal vote prior to the changes coming in, will not need to do anything until 31 January 2026, however the Elections Team will be in touch with you prior to this date regarding the transitional arrangements.

The rules regarding secrecy and who can handle postal votes for the above election types will apply for elections taking place on or after 2 May 2024.

Online absent voting applications and having to apply separately for Senedd and local government elections began on 31 October 2023.

For further information about changes to postal voting