Vote in person at a polling station
Most people vote in person at a polling station. You can find out where your nearest polling station is by checking the information printed on your poll card.
Polling stations are open from 7am and close at 10pm. When you go to the polling station you will need to give your name and address to the relevant staff member who will check you are registered to vote.
You do not need your poll card to vote at a polling station, but you do now need to have an acceptable form or photo ID.
Please ensure you don’t take any photos inside the polling station as you might find yourself in breach of secrecy of the ballot requirements.
Postal vote
If you are registered to vote but unable to vote in person on the day of the election (eg if you’re away from home or you’re abroad), you can apply for a postal vote.
You can apply for a postal vote or cancel your postal vote up to 11 working days before the election. From October 2023, you will need to renew your postal vote every 3 years by resubmitting a new postal vote application.
If you live abroad and are registered, you can apply for a postal vote but you need to make sure you have time to receive and return your ballot papers on polling day.
Apply for a postal vote
Please download the postal vote form from the Electoral Commission website. Once complete, you can send it to us by email elections.office@havant.gov.uk or by post.
Electoral Services, Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX.
When you apply for a postal vote, you will need to provide proof of your identity. Both online and paper applications will require ID verification.
From May 2024, only voters, a family member or a designated carer will be able to hand in a postal vote. There will also be a limit on the number of postal vote packs that you can hand in at a polling station. Voters will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs (in addition to their own).
Proxy vote
If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote. From October 2023 voters will be limited to the number of people they can act as a proxy for, please make sure your trusted person is able to act as a proxy for you by visiting the Electoral Commission website: Apply to vote by proxy | Electoral Commission
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 British citizen living overseas
- You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces
There are different forms depending on the reason that you need a proxy vote. If you live abroad and are registered, you can also apply for a proxy vote.
Apply for a proxy vote
Please download the proxy vote form from the Electoral Commission website. Once complete, you can send it to us by email elections.office@havant.gov.uk or by post.
Electoral Services, Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX.