Check that you are registered to vote

The Council will begin sending polling cards on 26 March and you won’t receive one if you are not registered. These cards are important as they tell you which polling station to attend.

As a Loughborough University student, you are likely to be registered as the University and Charnwood Borough Council have worked together to register students who gave their consent during this year’s enrolment process.  Please note that students can be registered to vote at home and term time addresses.

You can also check your registration status by calling the Council on 01509 634546.

If you find that you are not currently registered to vote you can do this online

Vote by post

If you would like to vote via post, you need to apply now. You can download an application form here.

If you register to vote by post, a voting pack will be sent to you by approximately 26 April 2021 which will include your ballot papers and instructions for how to complete and return your vote.

You can get your postal vote sent to any address in the UK or abroad if you are not currently in Loughborough. You will just need to provide a brief explanation as to why you are requesting a different address.

On the form, you will be asked to give your date of birth and signature. This is a security measure, used to confirm your identity when you send in your completed postal voting pack. This information does not affect the secrecy of your vote.

Vote by proxy

If you aren’t able to vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you –  this is called a proxy vote. The person you entrust with this can either go to your polling station to cast your vote or can apply to vote for you by post.

You can fill out an application form here.

Once you have completed your postal vote or proxy vote form and signed it, send it to the electoral services team at your local council at electoral.services@charnwood.gov.uk or to the Electoral Registration Officer, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TR.

Safety measures for voting in person

If you are voting in person, please follow the Covid measures put in place:

• Wear a face covering
• Keep a safe distance
• Bring your own pen/pencil
• Wash your hands on entry and when leaving

Key dates

• March 26 – polling cards start to be sent to homes in Charnwood
• April 19 – last chance to register to vote
• April 20, 5pm – last chance to register for a postal vote
• April 27, 5pm – deadline for proxy vote applications
• May 6 – polling day – stations are open 7am-10pm

More information on voting is available here.