Re-apply for a postal vote

Introduction

The Elections Act 2022 introduced the following changes when applying for a postal vote:

• Electors can now apply online
• Electors must prove suitable identity as part of the application process. Your identity will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails, you must provide evidence of your identity
• Postal vote applications are now valid for a maximum period of three years, and a new application must be made at the end of that time.

Dates to reapply

Electors who made their application to vote by post before 31 January 2024 were required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026.  If a new application was not received by this date, the Electoral Registration Officer was required by law to cancel the postal vote.  This also meant that the voting method for those electors defaulted to voting in person at a polling station (until a new postal vote application is received or if a proxy is appointed).  To vote in a polling station all electors are required to show an accepted form of photo ID.

Moving forward, the re-application process will be an annual task.

As such, electors who made their current application to vote by post before 31 January 2025 will be required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2027.  If a new application is not received by this date, the postal vote arrangement will be cancelled.

Similarly, electors who made their current application to vote by post before 31 January 2026 will be required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2028.

We will contact electors whose postal vote arrangements are coming to an end ahead of the expiry deadline, explaining how to reapply – this will be done via the preceding annual canvass exercise and by individual email or letter.

Where we hold an email address for an elector, we will send this communication via email through Government’s secure platform – Gov.notify.

Where we do not hold an email address, we will communicate via letter setting out what to do next. Our letters will carry the Council’s logo and address details.

However, if you are in any doubt about a communication, please get in touch with us via email elections@tewkesbury.gov.uk or phone (01684 272025) during normal office hours.

It is possible to re-apply ahead of our communication – probably the quickest and easiest way is online.

If you are unable to complete your application online you can either complete the application form printed on the reverse of your cancellation notice or download a paper application form in England. You can also request a paper application form by emailing elections@tewkesbury.gov.uk or call Electoral Services on 01684 272025.

As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:

• Date of birth.
• National Insurance Number.
• Upload a photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

Once your postal vote has been accepted this will be valid for a maximum period of three years and a new application must be made at the end of that time.

IMPORTANT – once notified of the need to re-apply for a postal vote, we would encourage electors to re-apply in a timely fashion, to minimise the risk of missing a postal vote application deadline in the run-up to an election.

Frequently asked questions

I have received a cancellation notice – what should I do?

If you still wish to vote by post, either re-apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or complete and sign the application form on the reverse of the cancellation notice and return it to Electoral Services, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 5TT.

If you are happy to attend your polling station to vote in future, you need do nothing more.

What do I need to do if my postal vote was applied for after 31 January 2025?

For electors who applied after 31 January 2025, contact will be made at the relevant time when existing postal votes are coming up to their expiry date (based on fixed national cut-off dates).

How do I upload a signature online?

Your signature must be:

• Be signed in black ink (not be written with a stylus or finger on a screen).
• On plain white paper.
• In a well-lit area without shadows showing on the image.
• Look the same as it normally does.

Guidance can be found under Useful links.

I cannot locate my National Insurance Number?

You must prove your identity as part of the application process. Your National Insurance Number will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions. If this identity check fails, you must provide evidence of your identity.

Guidance on how to find your National Insurance number can be found under Useful links.

If you are unable to provide your National Insurance number, you’ll need to provide some documents so that we can confirm your identity.

I can’t sign consistently, what can I do?

If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature but still want to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote without giving your signature.

Apply for a postal vote

You will be required to provide a reason why you are unable to provide a consistent signature. If you have had help completing the application, that person will be required to supply their details.

If you prefer to complete a paper application, please contact us by phone or email and request a signature waiver application form to be sent to you.

What are my personal identifiers and how are they used?

On your application to vote by post you must provide ‘personal identifiers’ i.e. your date of birth and signature.

Each time that you subsequently vote by post, you will need to provide your date of birth and signature on the postal vote statement that will be sent to you along with your ballot paper(s). When we then open your postal vote pack, we will check that the date of birth and signature on the postal vote statement match those provided on your postal vote application – a process which enables us to ensure that your postal vote is legitimate and helps to avoid any electoral fraud.

If they do not match, your vote will not be counted and your postal vote will be rejected.

Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no-one knows how you have voted.