A RUSH of ballot papers at four collection points was today expected to push the turnout in Kirklees Council elections from 28% to 40%.
Electors have until 10pm to return papers by hand.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said he was pleased that although a lot of people had been initially against the all-postal system the figures were looking promising.
On Tuesday, the last recommended day for putting forms in the post, the figure was just 28%.
Turnout in last year's election averaged 35%.
Mr Sheerman said: "There were always going to be some teething problems with a new scheme like this.
"It is absolutely vital that people vote and anything which might encourage that has to be good.
"I think the biggest mistake was when the House of Lords insisted on a witness being involved. A lot of people saw this as a loss of privacy."
He called for a mixture of postal votes and polling stations in future.
"This way people can either use a witness and post it or go to the polling station," he said.
The MP appealed for anyone who had not voted to do so before the polls close.
"Voting is an important part of living in a democracy," said Mr Sheerman.
Ballot papers can be taken to Kirklees Information Point, Civic Centre, Huddersfield; Holmfirth Council offices; Dewsbury Library and Cleckheaton Town Hall.
