Changes to Postal Voting Rules – Action May Be Required

The maximum length of time a voter can hold a postal vote changed following the Elections Act 2022, from indefinitely to a maximum of three years. Postal voters can still register to vote by post for a particular poll or for a shorter period, but they can no longer hold a postal vote until further notice. The expiry date is now the third 31st January after the postal vote was approved.

This means that the postal vote for any elector that was approved before the 30 January 2024, will expire on the 31 January 2026. The Elections Team will be contacting any affected electors to advise them on how to reapply.

If you need to reapply, you can do so · online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. It’s straightforward to do and just takes a few minutes. You’ll need to know your National Insurance number and be able to take a photograph of your signature.

If you are not able to apply online, you can print a paper form from the Electoral Commission website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote, or contact the Electoral Services Office to request a form.

If you are asked to reapply but don’t do so by the 31 January 2026, your postal vote will be cancelled. You will remain on the Electoral Register but will have to vote in person at your Polling Station for future elections.

If you’d like a postal vote later, you can make an application at that time.

4 August 2025