Eligible voters in the Somerton and Frome constituency planning to vote by post in the 20 July by election have little time left to submit their application.

Residents can choose to vote by post if they plan to be away from home, because their work schedule makes it difficult to get to their polling station, or simply because it's more convenient.

Voters must complete the form available online here and make sure it is received by Somerset Council's electoral services team by 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday 5 July 2023. The electoral services team can accept a scanned and emailed copy of the form – contact the team on 0300 123 2224, 01749 341475 or 01749 341391. Voters do not need to provide Voter ID to vote by post.

The application form includes guidance on how to fill it in correctly. You will need to provide your date of birth and your signature to confirm your identity. If you want to cancel your postal vote you must contact the electoral services team on 0300 123 2224, 01749 341475 or 01749 341391 before 5pm on Wednesday 5 July 2023. 

If you will not be at your address to get your postal vote you can apply for a proxy vote. This allows you to ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you, again, if you want to cancel your postal vote and make other arrangements you must contact the electoral services team before 5pm on Wednesday 5 July 2023

Electors planning to vote in person at a polling station on 20 July must provide photographic ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, or older person's bus pass. You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you and the name on your ID is the same name you used to register to vote. The full list of accepted Voter ID is available on the Electoral Commission website along with more information about the requirement.

Those without the necessary ID can apply for a FREE Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) online, by post or in person. The deadline for VAC applications is 5pm on 12 July.

More information on the Somerton and Frome by election including a list of polling station locations can be found on our website – Somerton and Frome by-election (somerset.gov.uk)

Help and advice is also available from the Somerset elections team on 0300 123 2224, 01749 341475 or 01749 341391.

Key dates:

·       Deadline to register to vote – midnight, 4 July 2023

·       Deadline for postal vote applications – 5pm, 5 July 2023

·       Deadline for proxy applications – 5pm, 12 July 2023

·       Deadline for Voter Authority Certificate applications – 5pm, 12 July 2023

·       Polling Day – Thursday 20 July 2023

·       Count of votes and declarations of result – 20-21 July 2023