ABOUT 14 million postal ballot forms for June's European and local elections have been sent to homes in four regions of England, incl,uding the North-west.
Voters will choose their MEPs and councillors entirely by post.
It is hoped that the trial move will increase the number of votes cast, particularly in big cities.
Royal Mail has said voters will get their ballot papers by the end of May.
Dedicated staff have been appointed to make sure that the operation runs smoothly, and envelopes have been designed to allow a maximum amount of automated sorting - reducing the risk of human error.
But the Electoral Reform Society's chief executive, Ken Ritchie, says he has an "open mind" on the postal ballot experiment, in a climate where there is concern over the trustworthiness of the post.
Voters will be expected to fill in their forms before election day on June 10.
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