Information About this Election

Frequently Asked Questions 

  When will Poll Cards be sent out?
  What is the deadline for a postal vote or for changing my postal vote arrangements?
  When will postal votes be sent out?

What can I do if...
  I have applied for a postal vote, but I want to vote at a polling station?
  I am a registered postal voter, but will be away when postal votes are sent out?

When will Poll Cards be sent out?

If you are eligible to vote for an upcoming election, you will receive your Poll Card or Postal Poll Notice, depending on how you choose to vote, approximately three weeks before the election*. 

If you have opted to vote in person, the Poll Card will detail information such as where you should go to vote and the hours of poll.

If you have chosen to vote by post, the Postal Poll Notice will detail information such as your registered address, where the ballot paper is to be sent (if this is different to your registered address), and the date of the election.

*At Parish Council elections, the Parish Council may not issue Poll Cards or Postal Poll Notices.



What is the deadline for a postal vote or for changing my postal vote arrangements?

There are statutory deadlines for applications for and amendments to postal voting arrangements. These are given on the Notice of Election and on Poll Cards/Postal Poll Notices.


When will postal votes be sent out?

We aim to send postal votes out, by Royal Mail first class delivery, around ten days before polling day.



What can I do if.....

I have applied for a postal vote, but I want to vote at the polling station?

You can cancel your postal vote arrangement, but there are statutory deadlines in place, and cancellations must be received before 5pm on the stated deadline. Otherwise, if you applied to vote by post, you cannot vote at the polling station.
 
Details of statutory deadlines can be found on the Notice of Election, and on Poll Cards and Postal Poll Notices.


However, on polling day, you can return your postal vote - in it's return envelope B - to any polling station in your ward or to The Returning Officer at the Civic Building, Walker Place, Rotherham (before 10pm) if you do not want to post it, or it is too late to post it.


I am a registered postal voter but I will be away when the postal votes are sent out?

You can apply to have your postal vote redirected, but this must be in writing and must state a reason why.  Contact Electoral Services for a form. Your application to redirect must reach us by 5pm by the stated dealine on the Notice of Election and Poll Card/Postal Poll Notice.