Postal votes on the increase

Over recent years the number of electors in England choosing to vote by post has grown rapidly. The residents of Penwith have followed this national trend and now over 13,500 electors are registered as postal voters.

However, following public concern that the postal/proxy voting process could be open to abuse, the government has decided to introduce new security arrangements.

As a result, changes in the law now require electors, who wish to vote by post or proxy, to provide their date of birth and a specimen of their signature.

It is for this reason that Penwith District Council will be sending all existing postal and proxy voters a fresh application form giving details of their current voting arrangements. Electors will be asked to check the details carefully before adding their signature and date of birth to the form. All completed applications must be returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by February 26.

The personal identifiers will be stored securely so that each time a person votes by post, their signature and date of birth, provided on a new postal voting statement, can be checked. This will help to ensure that electors postal votes remain secure.

If a person is unable to provide a signature, or read or write, or sign in a consistent or distinctive way because of any disability, the registration officer will grant them an exemption. This will mean that they will not be required to provide a signature.

Failure or refusal to provide the required personal identifiers will result in the electors postal/proxy arrangements being cancelled with effect from March 5. However, this will not prevent them from making a fresh application in the future.

Electors who wish to change their existing postal/proxy voting arrangements, wish to apply for an exemption or require any further information, should contact Penwith's elections helpline on Freephone 0800 028 1352.