We are aware that some residents in 8 polling districts who are registered to vote by post have received duplicate postal vote packs today (Friday, 28 June).
We are aware that some residents in the following areas who are registered to vote by post have received duplicate postal vote packs today (Friday, 28 June):
- Black Notley
- Braintree (Hill House)
- Cressing
- Colne Engaine
- Earls Colne
- Pebmarsh
- Stisted
- White Colne
These were sent out by our print supplier in error following a data correlation issue as a result of the changes to the parliamentary boundaries.
There is a total of 1,534 postal votes in these areas. However, only those postal vote packs received by electors from today (Friday, 28 June) are affected.
We are asking those who have received duplicate postal vote packs to destroy the duplicate pack and return only one voting pack.
Any duplicate packs received will be removed from the process and rejected. Each postal vote received is processed and is subject to a robust validation process, which records those that have been received against the electoral register and ensures that only one vote will be counted. We know some people have received two postal vote packs with different print ID numbers – this doesn’t affect the voting process.
We have checked the systems and are satisfied there is no risk of duplicate voting occurring. It is a criminal offence for anyone to submit two votes. Please be assured that no-one in the Braintree and Witham constituencies will be able to vote twice.
We apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused.
If you have returned your postal vote already in these areas prior to today (Friday, 28 June), this postal vote is not affected, and has already been processed.
If you're worried that you've run out of time to send your vote by mail, you can also drop off your postal vote at our offices at Causeway House in Braintree or any polling station in your area on 4 July between 7am-10pm.
If you hand in your postal vote in person, you’ll need to fill out a postal vote handling form provided by polling station staff, otherwise your vote can't be accepted. Up to 5 postal votes (in addition to your own) can be handed in as long as you are not a candidate, party worker or campaigner.
If you have applied for a postal vote but have not yet received it, you can apply for a replacement up until 5pm on polling day, 4 July. To do this please call us on 01376 552525 or email elections@braintree.gov.uk. Before we can give you a replacement postal vote pack, we will ask for proof of identity.