Frequently asked questions
Please be patient if you’re waiting for your postal vote to arrive as we are aware of delays in delivery by Royal Mail.
If you applied by the 7 June your pack has been sent and will be with you very soon. If you have not received your pack by Friday 28 June please email postals@fife.gov.uk to request a replacement pack. If you are unable to email, please call 03451 555511 on the 28 June and select Option 2 to speak to an advisor.
If you applied after the 7 June your pack will be sent out by the weekend. If you have not received your pack by Monday 1 July please email postals@fife.gov.uk to request a replacement pack. If you are unable to email, please call 03451 555511 on the 1 July and select Option 2 to speak to an advisor.
The law requires us to confirm your identity before issuing a replacement pack. This could be your passport, driving licence, bus pass or student card.
If you do not have any of these documents, then we can advise what other forms of identification can be used.
We will cancel the original pack once we’ve issued you with a replacement.
Back To TopYou can return your postal vote in a plain envelope addressed to the Returning Officer at the full Freepost address shown on your postal voting statement.
Alternatively, please call 03451 55 55 11 and we’ll send you out a replacement.
Back To TopPlease check contents of your postal pack again as the ballot papers can get caught up in other documents.
If one or both are still missing, we can send you a replacement after you send us back all contents of original pack for cancellation. This can be done by post but may be easier in person.
Please call 03451 55 55 11 for a replacement pack.
Back To TopThe numbers on the ballot papers should match with the number on your Postal Voting Statement (PVS).
If the ballot paper number does not match the number on the PVS, please call 03451 55 55 11 for a replacement pack and return all of the contents of the pack so the pack can be replaced.
Back To TopIf you have more than one ballot paper, please check if the number on one of the ballot papers matches the number on the postal voting statement.
If it does, you can complete and return that ballot paper as normal but please include any additional papers in a separate envelope in the envelope B.
Back To TopIf the damage is only superficial (e.g. a coffee spill) this won’t invalidate your vote. Let it dry then clearly mark the ballot paper, complete your date of birth, and sign the Postal Voting Statement. If you have been granted a waiver, you are not required to sign the Postal Voting Statement.
If the ballot paper has been damaged and cannot be used, you will need to return the damaged pack and apply for a replacement pack by calling 03451 55 55 11.
Back To TopDon’t worry, this isn’t a problem. Put the Postal Voting Statement (PVS) and envelope A, containing the completed ballot papers, into envelope B. Make sure that the Returning Officer’s address is showing in the envelope window. You can then send it back.
Back To TopScore it out and enter the correct date of birth above the boxes if necessary. Do not use Tippex as this may invalidate your vote.
Back To TopScore it out and sign the correct PVS, outwith the signature box if necessary. Do not use Tippex as this may invalidate your vote.
Back To TopScore out your vote. Make it very clear who you wish to vote for. Do not use Tippex as this may invalidate your vote. Do not sign or initial the change as this may identify you as the voter.
Then, you should:
- Place your ballot papers in envelope A,
- Sign the Postal Voting Statement, unless you have been granted a waiver,
- Add your date of birth to the Postal Voting Statement, and
- Return the envelope and Postal Voting Statement (with your signature and date of birth on it) in envelope B.
Open it carefully and put the rest of the documents in and reseal envelope B. Sellotape is fine.
Back To TopPlease open envelope B and turn the envelope A/Postal Voting Statement around so that the Returning Officer’s address can be seen in the window.
There may be orange franking marks on the envelope B – score these out and return the postal pack.
Back To TopTo see if your postal vote has been received and opened please visit:
https://pireturn.idoxgroup.com and log in using your username (shown on your postal voting statement under the barcode) and password (which is your Date of Birth). This information will be available after 6pm on Tuesday 25th June.
Please note that depending on when your pack is returned to us and opened, this will depend on when you will be able to check receipt.
Back To TopThe deadline is 5pm on polling day 4th July 2024.
But please be aware that, by law, any requests for a replacement postal vote packs after 5pm on the day before polling (Wednesday 3rd July 2024) can only be dealt with in person.
After 5pm on Wednesday 3rd July 2024, you will have to return the replacement pack in person. Please call 03451 55 55 11 to arrange to do so.
Back To TopYes, but you can only do so if you have not already returned your postal pack. You must contact us on 03451 55 55 11 by 5pm on Wednesday 19th June 2024 to let us know this is what you want to do.
Remember that you can also drop your pack off to any polling station in your constituency if you’ve left it too late to post back.
However, if you decide to return you pack to the polling station, you are now required to complete and sign a postal vote return form. If you do not complete this form when handing in your postal vote, it will be rejected.
Back To TopIf you have changed your name (e.g. married/divorced), you can still vote. However, you must use the signature that appears on your postal vote application form. Otherwise, the signature on your Postal Vote Statement will not match when it’s scanned.
Back To TopUnfortunately, no one can sign a Postal Voting Statement on behalf of another voter, not even under a Power of Attorney.
For future elections, our Electoral Registration team can issue the voter with a waiver. This means the voter does not have to sign the Postal Vote Statement. To arrange a waiver, call 03451 55 55 11.
Back To TopThere’s a step-by-step picture guide with the “Quick Guide to Postal Voting” leaflet in your pack. We hope this helps. If you need further help, call 03451 55 55 11 or ask a friend to help you. However, this person must not disclose how you have voted to anyone.
Back To TopYou can return your postal vote to any polling station in your constituency on polling day up until the polls close at 10pm.
However, if you decide to return you pack to the polling station, you are now required to complete and sign a postal vote return form. If you do not complete this form when handing in your postal vote, it will be rejected.
Back To TopYou can find your nearest polling station by using the polling place map on our Elections and Electoral Registration page.
Back To TopPlease call 03451 55 55 11.
Back To Top