Residents unable to visit polling stations on May 2 to vote in local elections have two alternatives available to them.

Voters unable to cast their votes in person can opt for postal voting or assigning a trusted individual to cast their vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote.

The application process can now be done online.

To apply for a postal vote, an applicant can select for a single election on a specific date, a defined period, or permanently.

Those who are not currently registered for postal votes but would like to use this method for the May 2 election need to send in their application by 5pm on April 17.

The city council needs signatures and dates of birth to examine postal votes cast during elections to prevent electoral fraud and to protect votes.

Interested parties can apply online on the 'Apply For a Postal Vote' webpage.

Paper application forms for postal votes are available for download from the Electoral Commission.

The filled-out form needs to be sent to the Elections Office located in the Town Hall at St Aldate's in Oxford, or the completed form can be scanned and emailed to postalvote@oxford.gov.uk.

Alternatively, if applicable, you can apply for a proxy voting.

Unlike postal voting, an applicant for a proxy vote must provide a valid reason for not being able to cast a vote in person at the polling station.

This can be attributed to travel plans, conditions that limit your ability to get to the polling station, or any other valid reason.

For postal votes, a downloadable form is available at the Electoral Commission for printing.

The filled form has to be signed and delivered to the same address as for a postal vote or, after scanning, emailed to the Elections Office.

The deadline for proxy vote applications is 5pm on April 24.

Caroline Green, Oxford City Council returning officer, said: "No one needs to miss out on voting in this election just because they can’t make it down to their polling station.

"Postal and proxy voting provides an easy alternative for those who can’t or don’t want to vote in person.

"Applying is straight forward (you can now apply online) but please don’t leave applications until the last minute, especially if you’re sending them to us around the Easter period when there might be delays in the post."

For additional information regarding elections, how to register for votes, or steps to apply for postal or proxy voting, voters can visit the Electoral Commission website.