Can I register to vote if I live overseas ?

Yes! If you are a British citizen living outside the UK and you meet the criteria detailed below, you can register as an overseas elector. This will enable you to vote in Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections in the UK.

In order to register you must meet one of the following two sets of conditions

• Your name was previously on the electoral register for an address in the UK;
• you were living in the UK on the relevant qualifying date for that register; and there are no more than 15 years between that date and the date of your application,

or:

• you last lived in the UK less than 15 years before the date of the application;
• you were too young to be on the electoral register before you left;
• a parent or guardian was on the electoral register, for the address at which you were living;
• you are now at least 18 years old or will become 18 during the life of the register for which you are applying.

For more information view our Overseas Electors leaflet  (98.82 KB) or ask for an Overseas Electors application form.

How do I register for postal voting ?

If you would rather have your ballot paper sent to you by post simply complete an 'Application to Vote by Post' form and return it to us. The form and guidance is available on the About my Vote website (link on the right)

 Applications must be received by us at least eleven working days prior to polling day if it is to be in force for that election.

If you wish to have your postal vote sent to an address different to the one you have previously applied for, you can apply to have your postal ballot papers redirected for one particular election date only. If a long term change of address is required than a new postal vote application will be necessary.

Can I apply for someone else to vote on my behalf ?

Under certain circumstances you can apply for a ‘proxy vote’, which allows you to nominate someone else to attend the polling station and cast your vote.

You can apply for a proxy vote if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you are registered blind;
• you receive the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance;
• you have a physical incapacity; or
• your employment is such that you could not attend the polling station.
• You can also apply for a proxy vote for one election if you will be away on holiday or away from home at the time of the election.

If you apply for a proxy vote because you have a physical incapacity or due to the nature of your employment your application must be supported by a doctor or your employer.

To apply to vote by proxy complete, sign, and return an Application to Vote by Proxy form.

Applications for a proxy vote can be made up to six days before polling day . However an "emergency” proxy vote can be applied for after this date due to unforeseen health reasons. "An emergency” application can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

Where do I vote ?

You can either vote in person at the Polling Station, or if you prefer you can apply to vote by post. In certain circumstances you can arrange for someone to vote on your behalf. We hire village halls, community halls, schools and even use facilities in people’s houses to try to ensure that you do not have to travel too far to your Polling Station. Tamworth is split in to areas called wards, and each ward will have their own Polling Station. Unless you vote by post we will send you a Poll Card shortly before an election. This Poll Card will tell you where you have to go to vote.