If you will be away on polling day, at work or on holiday, are physically unable or just don't have the time to get to a polling station to vote in person, you can still exercise your democratic right to vote. You may have moved house since the electoral register was drawn up and have not yet joined the register at your new address.

You can choose either to vote by post or to appoint someone else - a proxy - to vote on your behalf.

To find out more about voting by post, please visit the Government's official site at:

http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

From this site, you can download an application form to vote by post.

Simply print the form out, complete the details and send it to the local Electoral Registration Officer at the local council's offices.

Stafford Borough Council

Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford.  ST16 3AQ

Tel: (01785) 619000

www.staffordbc.gov.uk

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands

Tel: (01538) 483483

www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Civic Offices, Merrial Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

Tel: (01782) 717717

www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk