No vote as application arrived too late

[picassomoules]

I applied for a postal vote for my home address, as I live away from there for chunks of time due to work.

I first sent in an online version of the form, with my signature pasted in. I was told this wouldn't work as it needed to be an ink signature. They sent the form out, I posted it back on Tuesday the 5th of May. I then went on a work trip overseas, so wasn't home until yesterday. No sign of the postal vote.

Apparently it hadn't arrived until the 20th and the cutoff was the 19th. How can it take 15 days for it to arrive? So royal mail delays mean disenfranchisement.

Do you have someone you can nominate as a Proxy?

Too late for that too apparently

If you are at home now you can vote in person.

You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy, by reason of working away.

www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy#emergency-proxy-en

If you're home now, what's the problem?

And I would recommend having a permanent postal vote in place, for future elections

@picassomoules did you vote?

Unfortunately not, as I am not home home. I’ve been in my work city. The sooner all this work travel stops, the better if you asked me.

First time I haven’t voted 😔

How annoying. Sounds like permanent postal vote is the way to go.

Yes, agree with you. Will sort one for next time.

I didn’t want to be a burden in having a postal vote when I could vote in person, but seems safer to not lose my vote

Personally I would have a proxy in place if I were you. Postal vote is a good idea but if you're worried about post delays I'm not sure I'd take a chance on it. If you have a proxy you can still vote in person if you're around on the day but the proxy can go if you can't. Gives you more options.