General election questions answered
With the general election just over two weeks away, Wiltshire Council has answered some commonly asked questions sent in by residents.
They have been receiving high levels of applications and the team is working hard behind the scenes to process everything to ensure you can have your say on 4 July.
If you do have any queries, it’s always sensible to visit the website or the Electoral Commission website prior to getting in touch, as the chances are the information will be there. If not though, Wiltshire Council are here to support you and will respond as quickly as they can.
The deadline to register to vote in the general election has passed. You have until 5pm today (19 June) to apply for a postal vote, and until 5pm on 26 June to apply for a proxy vote.
Here’s a round-up of some of the recent questions that have been sent, with the answers.
I have put a cross in the wrong box on my postal vote. What do I do?
Cross out the incorrect vote and mark the candidate you want to vote for. Do not sign or initial your correction as this will invalidate your ballot. As long as your voting intention is clear then it will be counted.
When sending back my postal vote, what piece of paper do I put in envelope A?
Envelope A is for your completed ballot paper. Full instructions are issued with the postal vote pack.
Do I need to put a stamp on my postal vote pack to send it back?
No – postal vote packs include a pre-paid reply envelope so can simply be sent back.
Can I use a blue pen to complete my postal vote?
Yes that’s fine.
If I can’t post my postal votes can I hand them in?
If you can’t send your postal vote in the post, you can only hand it in at County Hall reception where you will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival. Alternatively, you can drop-off your postal vote at your polling station on polling day, but please be mindful that polling stations will be busy and you will have some paperwork to complete. Any postal votes put in the post boxes at Bourne Hill (Salisbury), County Hall (Trowbridge) or Monkton Park (Chippenham) will be rejected.
I’ve signed my partner’s/flatmate’s Postal Vote Statement by mistake – what shall I do?
Cross it out and sign in the box or underneath the box.
I’ve written the wrong date on my Postal Vote Statement? (it should be date of birth)
Cross through the incorrect date and write the correct date of birth underneath the boxes.
When will postal vote packs be sent out?
Electors who had a postal vote in place before 3 June have been sent their postal vote.
Anyone who applied for a postal vote between 3 June and the postal vote deadline of 19 June will be sent their postal vote around 27 June. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the general election is 5pm on 26 June.
When will my poll card arrive?
For those registered, poll cards have been sent out in the last couple of days and if they haven’t arrived yet, they will soon.
Do I need my poll card to vote?
No, you don’t need it to vote but it may help speed up the process when you arrive at the polling station. The poll card contains useful information such as details of your local polling station and voter ID details.
Anyone registered to vote as an anonymous elector must take their poll card with them to the polling station.
How can I find out where my local polling station is?
Visit https://wheredoivote.co.uk/ and enter your postcode.
What voter ID is accepted?
Accepted forms of photo ID include passports, photographic driving licences, biometric immigration documents, and certain concessionary travel passes.
A comprehensive list can be found on the Electoral Commission website.
What do I do if I don’t have any photo ID?
Anyone who doesn’t have an accepted form of photo ID like a passport or driving licence can apply for a voter authority certificate online. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the general election is 5pm on 26 June.
