Voting by post
A postal vote means you can cast your vote and post it back to the council without going to a polling station on election day.
You can apply for a postal vote for one particular election or for all elections for the following three years.
You can apply for a postal vote online. You must have your National Insurance Number (or other identity documentation) and you will need to provide a copy of your signature.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote in time for the May 2024 elections is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
Apply for a postal vote online
If you cannot register online, you can download an application form from the GOV.UK website.
You will need to scan the completed form as it must contain your signature and National Insurance Number and then email it as an attachment to electoral_services@sandwell.gov.uk
If you cannot supply your National Insurance Number, please state on the form why. You will be required to show other forms of identification and the elections team will contact you to make these checks.
Alternatively you can print out and complete your form, then return it by post to:
Electoral Services
Sandwell Council House
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
If you choose to vote by post, your ballot papers will be sent to you one to two weeks before election day. This year, postal votes will start to be delivered from 17 April 2024. You will receive ballot papers for:
- the local council election
- the West Midlands Mayoral election
- and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands election.
The ballot paper for the council election will be peach (a pale orangey pink), the ballot paper for the Mayoral election will be yellow and the ballot paper for the PCC election will be green.
Returning your postal vote
Your postal vote must be returned by 10pm on polling day. We encourage you to return your postal vote to us in the post.
If you don't return your vote by post, there are important changes to be aware of regarding how many postal votes one person can hand in.
Changes to the law mean that if you are handing in postal votes at a polling station or at Sandwell Council House, you will have to fill in a form.
You will also not be able to hand in more than five postal voting packs from other people (handing in five plus your own postal vote is permitted). It's important you are aware of this if you are unable to return your postal vote in the post.
You must not place postal votes in the postbox at the Council House, as these can no longer be accepted. You must not give your postal vote pack to a candidate, canvasser or anyone involved in the election to hand in.
Find your polling station.
How to fill in your postal vote
Here's a video showing you how to complete your postal vote. Please note, you will receive three ballot papers.
What happens to your postal vote
Here's a video showing you what happens to your postal vote.
Top tips for using a postal vote
- Complete your postal vote in private and do not let anyone else see it as you would at a polling station.
- Do not let anyone else vote for you.
- Do not give your ballot paper or postal pack to anyone else.
- Seal all envelopes yourself.
- Take your postal vote to the post box yourself, if this is not possible give it to someone you know and trust to post it for you.
- Check for a priority post box close to where you live. These post boxes have early and late collection times and many are emptied on Saturday and Sunday.
- If anyone tries to help you against your will, or forces you to give them your postal vote, you should contact the police.
- You may have heard about the requirement to take photo ID if you vote at a polling station. This does not affect postal votes.