Postal voting in this year's parliamentary elections - rules and deadlines
As in previous years, this year, voters who meet certain criteria can vote by mail in the parliamentary elections. The Polish Post Office is involved in the process – the mail carrier will deliver the election package, and the return envelope containing the completed ballot can be handed to the carrier or left at a post office.
According to the Electoral Code, voters who are entitled to postal voting are:
- have a certificate of significant or moderate degree of disability,
- on voting day they are subject to mandatory quarantine, isolation or home isolation,
- they turn 60 on election day at the latest,
A person wishing to vote remotely must have the right to vote, be a Polish citizen, and be at least 18 years of age on election day. They must also vote in the Republic of Poland.
To use the option of voting by mail, you must submit an application no later than October 2nd. An exception is made for voters who are subject to mandatory quarantine, isolation, or home isolation on election day, which began after the 5th day before election day. Such individuals may register to vote by mail up to the 2nd day before election day (October 13th).
The intention to vote by mail can be expressed in writing: on paper – with a handwritten signature, or electronically – with a qualified electronic signature, a trusted signature, or a personal signature, using the electronic service available on the gov.pl website, after authentication; by telephone – in the case of a disabled voter or a voter subject to mandatory quarantine, isolation, or home isolation on voting day. Information about the voter's intention to vote by mail should be reported to the electoral commissioner.
A valid application must include: the voter's surname and first name(s), the voter's PESEL number, the address to which the election package will be sent, and a contact phone number or email address. For people with disabilities, a copy of a current disability certificate is also required. The application may also specify that the package delivered to the voter include Braille ballot overlays.
The election package that will be delivered to the voter will consist of: a return envelope, one or more ballots, a ballot envelope, postal voting instructions, a Braille overlay or overlay for the ballot, or a Braille ballot if the voter has requested one, and a declaration of in-person and secret voting on the ballot. Voters will receive it no later than six days before election day. An exception is made for those subject to mandatory quarantine, isolation, or home isolation, who will receive the package no later than two days before election day. Packages are sent via Polish Post. They are delivered by postal carrier upon presentation of a document confirming the voter's identity. Receipt of the package requires written confirmation of receipt.
After casting your vote, place your ballot and declaration in an envelope marked "Ballot Envelope." The sealed envelope should be placed in the return envelope addressed to the district electoral commission. If the ballot envelope is not sealed, the ballot will not be counted in determining the election results.
Voters can hand the return envelope to a representative of Poczta Polska (Polish Post), such as a postman, or leave it at a Poczta Polska office located in the municipality where the voter is listed in the Central Voter Register in their permanent voting district, or at any Poczta Polska office. They can also deliver it in person to the district electoral commission in the voting district where they are listed on the voter roll (this does not apply to voters subject to mandatory quarantine, isolation, or home isolation on voting day).