Important information when considering whether to apply for a postal vote
Postal packs are sent to existing postal voters around three weeks before polling day, once candidates have been confirmed. For late applications, after an election has been announced, postal packs may be issued up to ten days before polling day.
If applying for a postal vote because you are travelling away from home, you will need to consider whether it will reach you in time, and may wish to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf instead.
Replacements for lost postal ballots can only be issued from the fourth working day before polling day.
Apply for a new postal vote
If you are not already registered to vote, you must register before applying for a postal vote. The deadline to register to vote at an election is midnight, 12 working days before polling day. Register to vote online.
5pm on the 11th working day before polling day is the deadline to:
- submit your application to vote by post at a particular election
- cancel or make any changes to your voting method, if you have an existing postal or proxy vote.
Apply online
The quickest way to apply is online through gov.uk: Apply for a postal vote.
You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number, as well as submitting a photograph of your signature. If you do not have a National Insurance number, you can provide a different kind of evidence of your identity.
A postal vote can be held for a maximum of 3 years before expiring. Existing postal voters who wish to continue voting by post must submit a new application to renew their postal voting arrangement.
If you cannot provide a signature
The Electoral Registration Officer may grant you a signature waiver if you are unable to provide a signature under the following conditions:
• you are unable to sign in a consistent or distinctive way because of any disability
• you are unable to read or write.
Please contact the Electoral Services team for further information about applying for a signature waiver.
Get a paper postal voting application form sent to you
If you cannot apply online, you can ask for a paper postal voting application form to be sent to you. We’ll send a freepost reply envelope for you to return your completed form in.