Important changes to rules about handing in postal votes

19 Apr 2024

In Northumberland, elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria police area and the Mayor for the North East Mayoral Combined Authority take place on Thursday 2 May.   

Residents who have opted to vote by post are now receiving their ballot papers. Postal voters who have not already had theirs, should look out for their envelope marked “postal voting pack” in the post in the next few days. 

The Council is asking postal voters to send their completed ballot pack back as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to post it in a Royal Mail post box yourself or ask someone you know and trust to post it for you.   

New legislation means that political campaigners are generally not allowed to handle postal votes, so please bear that in mind if you ask someone to post your ballot pack for you.    

Please make sure you post it in good time. Your vote needs to be with the Council by 10pm on Thursday 2 May.  If it arrives later than this, your vote will not be counted. 

Anyone who does not post it back in time can hand their postal vote in at their polling station or at County Hall, Morpeth (NE61 2EF). 

Voters can now only hand in their own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people but must complete a postal vote return form when doing so. It includes the voters name and address; how many postal votes are being handed in and the reason for handing in those postal votes.   

Political campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives or someone they provide regular care for.