Register to vote
You qualify to register to vote if you are:
- a British Citizen
- an EU Citizen resident in the UK
- a qualifying Commonwealth Citizen resident in the UK
If you would like to check to see if you are already on the register, please use our online register check form below.
How do I register?
To complete the application form will need the following information available:
- your National Insurance number
- your passport (if you are a British Citizen living abroad)
Before you submit your details please make sure you read our Privacy Notice.
More information on registering to vote can be found on the Electoral Commission website or Gov.uk website and an easy read guide to voting and registering is available to view from the Cabinet Office.
Voter ID information
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
For more information on photo ID you can view the governments easy read online guide, call the Electoral Commission helpline on 0800 328 0280 or visit the electoral commission website.
A full list of accepted photo ID's can be found on the Electoral Commission website. Below is a list of the most common types of accepted ID's:
- Passport
- Driving Licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue Badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standard Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply online using the button below or request a paper application form by contacting the electoral services team on electoralservices@melton.gov.uk.
What happens if I have received an evidence letter?
You will have received an evidence letter when your register to vote application is not successful. You will need to prove your identity to be added to the register of electors by providing documentary evidence.
A list of acceptable documents to upload are listed on your evidence letter.
Postal and proxy votes
If you are unable to attend the polling station for any reason, you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote.
A postal vote is where your vote is sent to you before polling day and a proxy vote is where you ask another person to vote on your behalf.
The process for applying for a postal vote has changed
You can apply online for a postal vote however paper applications will still be accepted.
Both online and paper applications will require ID verification.
The postal vote will be in place for a maximum of 3 years. After 3 years you will be required to make a new application to continue voting by post.
To apply online please visit the gov.uk website.
Further information on the changes can be found on the Electoral Commission website.
You can apply for a postal vote as long as you are on the electoral register
- You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.
- An application form must be completed by the person applying for a postal vote.
The rules for returning postal vote packs by hand have changed due to the Elections Act 2022
New provisions from the Elections Act 2022 relating to handling absent votes and the secrecy of absent votes are due to take effect in time for the May 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. The provisions restrict who can handle postal votes, how many postal votes can be handed in at polling stations and other venues and set out a process for handing in postal votes.
Who can’t handle postal votes?
Political campaigners will be banned from handling postal votes, except where the postal vote is their own or that of a close family member or someone they provide care for. Postal workers or others who handle postal votes as part of their usual duties are also exempt.
What are the new limits for handing in postal votes?
People who are not political campaigners can still hand in postal votes at polling stations or into council buildings. However, they will now be limited to handing in no more than five postal votes for other electors, plus their own postal vote per election.
People handing in postal votes will also have to complete a ‘return of postal voting documents’ form, which includes some personal information (name and address) and will also need to complete a declaration.
What happens if someone doesn’t follow the rules?
Postal votes may be rejected if people don’t follow the rules when handing in postal votes. This means they will not be counted in the election, but electors whose postal votes are rejected will be informed in writing that their vote has been rejected and why following the election.
The postal votes will be rejected if:
- Too many postal votes are handed in
- There is reason to suspect a person has already handed in the maximum number of postal votes at the election.
- The postal votes are handed in or left without a completed form.
What should postal voters do then?
The best advice is to post postal votes in a Royal Mail postbox as soon as possible. If you hand in a postal vote in person, you should make sure to hand it in at the council offices to an authorised person between 9am - 5pm or at a polling station on 2 May 2024.
What’s changing about secrecy requirements?
Voters at polling stations are protected by secrecy requirements set out in Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. This states that no member of electoral staff or a person supporting a voter may communicate information about the candidate the voter voted for. It is an offence to try to find out how someone has voted in a polling station and to photograph ballot papers in polling stations. The Elections Act 2022 extended these requirements to apply to postal and proxy votes as well as votes cast in polling stations.
What happens if someone breaches these new rules?
Anyone found guilty of breaching these secrecy requirements could face a fine or imprisonment for up to six months.
You can ask either a member of your family or a friend/colleague to act as your proxy. You must ask them first and make sure that they can get to your polling station to vote on your behalf. If the person you appoint does not live in the area, they will have to apply to be a postal proxy. In doing this your vote will be posted to them. Each applicant must fill in a form and, where possible, get your proxy to also sign the form accepting the appointment.
You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are on the electoral register. When you apply for a proxy vote you have to provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:
- You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday
- You have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your employment means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces
- You are a British citizen living overseas
- Proxy vote forms must be received 6 working days before an election.
You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy on the grounds of a medical emergency or being taken away from home by your work.
You can only apply if you become aware of the fact after 5pm, six working days before polling day.
The closing date for emergency proxy applications is 5pm on polling day.
Postal voter signature refresh
You can have a postal vote in force for a maximum period of three years. If you wish to remain as a postal voter after this time you will need to make a new application. The Electoral Services Department will notify you when your current postal vote is due to expire and tell you how to apply for a new postal vote.
To apply for a postal or proxy vote
You can apply online using one of the following websites:-
For postal votes use www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
For proxy votes use www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
If you prefer you can request a paper form by contacting our Customer Services Department on 01664 502502
Cancelling a postal or proxy vote
You must cancel your postal or proxy vote in writing. You must send a signed letter to confirm that you want to cancel your postal vote, either by email (as a scanned attachment) or by post.
Email: electionservices@melton.gov.uk
Postal address: Electoral Services, Melton Borough Council, Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1GH
Changing a postal or proxy vote
If you wish to change from a postal vote to a proxy vote or a proxy vote to a postal vote, you must complete a new postal/proxy application form.