By post

How to apply

• Go to the Government website to apply for a postal vote online. You will need your national insurance number to complete the application.
• The deadline to apply to vote by post, or amend an existing postal vote, is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

After you've applied to vote by post, you will be sent a postal vote pack containing your ballot paper(s) around 2 weeks before polling day.

Once you have been issued with a postal vote, you have to use this to cast your vote at an election. You will not be issued with a ballot paper at a polling station. However, you can deliver your completed postal vote (sealed in the envelopes provided) by hand to your polling station or any polling station in the electoral area on polling day.

Postal votes are held for a maximum of three years. You will need to reapply at the end of that time. If you have a long-term postal vote that you applied for before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2026. Our Elections Team will contact you before your postal vote expires.

If you are unable to access the online postal vote application and need a paper application, or need assistance to complete your application, please contact the Elections Team at elections@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 654 321.

Changes to postal vote handling

From 2 May 2024, new rules on the handling of postal votes apply. We recommend that postal votes are returned to us via Royal Mail, in the pre-paid envelope included with the ballot papers, as soon as possible before polling day.

• Any postal vote not returned via Royal Mail must be handed to an authorised officer and be accompanied by a complete 'postal vote return' form.
• We can no longer accept postal votes left in the letterbox at the council offices.
• Any postal votes which are left at any council building without the 'postal vote return' form being completed must be rejected.
• You will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors, in addition to your own (six in total).
• If a person hands in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors, all the postal votes (other than their own) will be rejected.

'Return of postal voting document' forms are available in the reception area of the council offices in Fenland Hall.

Cancelling or amending your postal vote

If you want to cancel your postal vote you must put your request to cancel in writing.

Please email to elections@fenland.gov.uk, or send a letter to Electoral Services, Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 8NQ.

The deadline for Electoral Services to receive a written cancellation of postal voting arrangement before an election is 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

Any amendments to your postal vote must also be made by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day. If you have any queries, please contact elections@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 654 321.

If you wish to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote, you must Apply for a proxy vote.