How to cast your vote (including Postal and Proxy Voting)
The easiest way to register to vote is online using the Register to Vote service. You only need to register to vote if:
- You need to update your name
- Need to update your address or nationality by registering again with your new details (if you live in the UK)
If you’re not sure if you’re registered, please contact Electoral Services at electoral.registration@molevalley.gov.uk or call us at 01306 879198.
- The deadline to register, in time for these elections, is midnight, Tuesday 16 April 2024.
You must bring suitable photographic identification with you to vote at the polling station. If you don’t have one of the accepted forms of photographic identification, please apply for a temporary Voter Authority Certificate below.
Apply for Voter Authority Certificate
- The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5PM, Wednesday 24 April 2024.
If you are unable to go to the polling station, you can apply for postal voting.
- The deadline to apply for a postal vote, or to make changes to an existing postal vote, is 5pm, Wednesday 17 April 2024.
The person appointed as your proxy should be able to go to your polling station to cast your vote. If this is not possible, they can apply to cast your vote by post. Please contact us if this is required. Your proxy can only act as proxy for no more than four people, of which only two can be domestic voters.
- For non-permanent proxy arrangements, i.e. for one election only, apply below.
- Please contact us if you require a permanent proxy voting arrangement.
Apply for Non-Permanent Proxy Vote
- The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm, Wednesday 24 April 2024.
Further Information
Election Date 2024
Police and Crime Commissioner and District Council Elections will be taking place in Mole Valley on Thursday 2 May 2024.
Polling Stations and Identification
The traditional method of voting at an election is for an elector to their visit local polling station on election day to cast their vote.
All polling stations open for voting at 7am and close at 10pm.
When entering a polling station, each elector will need to confirm their name and address and show their accepted form of photographic ID to the polling station staff, who will check that their details are included on the electoral register and that they are eligible to vote in the relevant election.
In each polling station, a polling booth will be available for electors to cast their vote in private.
Once the elector has voted according to their preference, the ballot paper should be folded and placed in the ballot box indicated by the polling station staff.
After the ballot paper has been posted in the ballot box, the voting process is complete.
If you are unsure about the location of your local polling station, a poll card will be sent approximately three to four weeks prior to the election confirming the date of the election and where you need to go to cast your vote.
Find Your Nearest Polling Station
Postal Voting
If you are unable to go to the polling station, you can apply for a postal vote.
The easiest way to apply for a postal vote is online.
Postal ballot papers are sent to voters via 1st Class post in fixed despatch windows. The dates of the despatches will be communicated on the main webpage for the election. The earliest despatch is usually sent seven to ten working days before the election. If the dates are not convenient for you, i.e. you are going away, you may find that appointing someone else to vote on your behalf (Proxy Voting) to be a more appropriate option.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote, in time for this election, is 5pm 17 April 2024.
Changes to the Handling of Postal Votes
Postal votes can be delivered by hand to the Council Offices at Pippbrook, but must not be left in letterboxes or on desks.
Changes to the law mean any postal votes not returned via Royal Mail must be accompanied by a return form which can be obtained from the Electoral Services Team. We must reject any postal votes which are hand delivered without the form being completed. You may still have time to return your postal vote through the Royal Mail system. Postal votes must reach the Returning Officer by 10pm on polling day. If you miss the post, you can hand in your postal vote at the council offices during office hours (9am-5pm) to a person authorised to receive postal votes.
Reception is open from 9am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday. Between 2.30pm and 5pm (Monday to Friday), please call the Electoral Services team on 01306 879198.
On polling day, you can hand postal votes in to the Council Offices (9am to 5pm) or at any polling station for the relevant District Ward before 10pm on Thursday 2 May 2024.
By law, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of up to five others.
Proxy Voting
You can apply for non-permanent proxy arrangements, i.e. for one election only, using the online service.
Please contact us if you require a permanent proxy voting arrangement.
The person appointed as your proxy should be able to go to your polling station to cast your vote. If this is not possible, they can apply to cast your vote by post. Please contact us if this is required.
Your proxy can only act as proxy for no more than four people, of which only two can be domestic voters.
When attending the polling station, your proxy must take an accepted form of photographic ID with them. If they do not have an accepted form of photographic ID, they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, which they can use instead.