How to vote

You can vote in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy. In order to vote you must be registered to vote.

Vote in person

When registering to vote you will automatically be registered to vote at the polling station unless you apply to vote by post or proxy.

You will receive a polling information letter before the election which will tell you where your polling station is. You don't need your poll letter in order to vote but it is helpful to have with you. You must take photographic ID with you  in order to vote. You can find a list of acceptable types of photographic ID on the Electoral Commission Website.

Prior to an election, you can find out where you polling station is via the where do I vote website.

Vote by post

Applications to vote by post should be made via the Gov.uk website download, print and complete a paper application from the Electoral Commission Website.

Completed paper applications can be scanned or photographed and returned by email to electoralregistration@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or returned via post to Electoral Services, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Redcar & Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT

To vote by post you must be a registered voter.

You can have a postal vote for one election or for all elections which take place while your postal voting arrangements are in place. However, your application to vote by post must be with us by 5pm 11 working days before an election.

Once we have received your postal vote form, we capture your date of birth and signature as personal identifiers to prevent fraud. Your identity is verified with DWP (The Department for Work and Pensions) using your name and National Insurance Number. Postal voting arrangements can be put in place for a maximum period of up to 3 years. Electors will be reminded to re-apply for a new postal vote prior to the expiry of their current one, if they wish to continue voting by post.

You will receive a poll card before all elections, advising you that you are a postal voter, and your postal voting packs will be sent 2-3 weeks before polling day.

Vote by proxy

If you are unable to vote in person for a particular election, for example you are on holiday or are working away, you can appoint someone to vote for you at your polling station. This is called a proxy vote.

The person you appoint as proxy must be registered to vote and able to vote in that type of election. They must also not be appointed as a proxy for any more than 4 people in total, of whom only 2 may reside in the UK. You must trust the person you appoint to vote how you ask them.

Applications to vote by proxy should be made via the Gov.uk website. If you are unable to apply in this way, there is an option to download, print and complete a paper application form from the Electoral Commission website.  

Completed paper applications can be scanned or photographed and returned by email to electoralregistration@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or returned via post to Electoral Services, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Redcar & Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT

Applications to vote by proxy must be with us by 5pm 6 working days before an election. Your proxy will receive a polling information letter stating the polling station they will need to attend. Your proxy must take their own photographic ID with them in order to vote on your behalf.