Absent voters (i.e. people who vote by post or proxy) are required when they first apply to vote by post, to complete an application form. On the application form they are required to provide a signature and a date of birth.
During Election time, postal ballot papers are sent to all postal voters along with a postal vote statement. Each person is required to complete and return the postal vote statement by providing their signature and date of birth along with their completed ballot paper. The signature and date of birth are then checked alongside the original application form to ensure that they match. This prevents the possibility of any electoral fraud.
In January we are legally required to write to all absent voters whose signatures are more than five years old, asking them to complete an application form providing a fresh signature.
Absent voters who have been granted a waiver will not be affected by the refresh.
If you are an absent voter and your signature is more than five years old please look out for these forms being delivered to your home. Please make sure that you complete and return the form as soon as possible, as we are legally required to send you a reminder. You can help the Council to save money by replying promptly; this will save us having to send you a reminder.
If we do not receive a completed new form from you, your absent voting arrangements will be cancelled and you will have to vote in person at your polling station for future elections.
If you have any queries about the Absent Voter Refresh 2013 please contact our helpline on 01942 827168.
