The deadline to apply for a postal vote in the Stretford and Urmston by-election has passed – but people can still vote without going to a polling station.
A proxy vote, where a designated representative votes on the person’s behalf, can be applied for up until 5pm on Wednesday 7 December. The constituency by-election takes place on Thursday 15 December.
Sara Todd, Acting Returning Officer, said:
“For anyone that was thinking about applying for a postal vote, but has now missed the deadline, there is still the option of applying for a proxy vote.
“We know that some people can struggle to get to their polling station, especially during wintertime, so it’s important to know there are alternatives so people can still vote.”
Meanwhile, delivery of postal votes has begun and will continue next week. Due to looming postal strikes, voters are urged to return their completed postal votes as soon as possible.
Mrs Todd, chief executive of Trafford Council, said:
“A combination of scheduled postal strikes and the usual busy Christmas post presents a particular challenge for this election.
“Residents who have a postal vote can return it in the normal way, but just need to be mindful of the proposed industrial action on that is set to take place ahead of polling day.
“If they feel their vote might be delayed because of the strikes, they can present their completed postal vote to various locations across the constituency, or hand it in at a polling station on voting day.”
The planned industrial action affecting Royal Mail includes:
Friday 9 December
Sunday 11 December
Wednesday 14 December
Thursday 15 December
It is likely that no mail, including returned postal votes, will be delivered on these dates.
People can drop off their postal votes at the following locations on weekdays from Monday 5 December to Wednesday 14 December:
Stretford Library - 10am to 4pm
Partington Library - 10am to 4pm
Urmston Library - 10am to 4pm
Limelight - 10am to 4pm
Sale Waterside - 10am to 4pm
Trafford Town Hall - 8am to 6pm
Postal votes can also be dropped off at a polling station on polling day.