Published Tuesday 31 October 2023 at 20:08
This November sees national changes to how you can vote by post or by proxy, in a bid to combat election fraud.
The government is bringing in the changes which all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales must observe.
Postal votes
The way voters can apply for postal votes is changing, to allow voters to apply online from 31 October 2023 at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
However, postal vote applications will still be accepted via a new paper form, for anyone who prefers this method.
New postal vote applications will be valid for a maximum of three years.
Anyone who is currently registered to vote by post will be able to use a postal vote in elections in May 2024.
Additional changes to voting by post from May 2024 restrict who is legally permitted to handle postal votes. It will limit the number of postal votes that any one person can hand in at polling station to their own postal vote plus a maximum of five, and anyone handing in postal votes will have to complete a declaration form.
Political campaigners will not be allowed to handle postal packs from anyone outside their immediate family.
Proxy votes
Changes are also on the way for proxy votes – that is, appointing someone who can vote at a polling station on your behalf.
From 1 November 2023, someone can act as a proxy for no more than four voters.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Returning Officer for elections in the borough, commented:
For the elections held in May 2023, photo ID was required at polling stations for the first time.
For the upcoming elections in May 2024, photo ID requirements will remain.
In addition, anyone who applies for postal and proxy votes from 31 October will be subject to new identification checks via the Department for Work & Pensions and National Insurance data.
The changes are intended to protect the electoral system from fraud, and ensure voters can use their right to vote with confidence.
More information about voting in local elections is available at www.blackburn.gov.uk/elections-and-voting.