Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years.
All postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 are required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026.
We will be sending an initial email to all affected electors we hold an email address for around 7th July 2025 notifying them that their entitlement to vote by post will expire on 31st January 2026, and if they wish to continue to vote by post they will need to submit a new postal vote application.
All other postal voters affected, for whom we do not hold an email, will receive a letter from us.
Some members of the same household may be contacted in different ways depending on whether we have an email address or not.
We are using emails where a voter has provided an email address to reduce our carbon footprint and to reduce the cost of sending letters by post.
Please help us by responding as soon as possible.
If a new application is not received by 31st January 2026 the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote in 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 now required to bring in an accepted form of photo ID on the day.
The Elections Act 2022 introduced the following changes for voters who applied for a postal vote after 31 October 2023:
- 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.
How do I reapply for a postal vote?
You can apply for a postal vote
As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:
- Date of birth
- National Insurance Number
- Upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you are unable to complete your application online you can download a form. You can also request a paper application form by emailing elections@bassetlaw.gov.uk or contacting us on 01909 533 252.
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. Please contact us for further information.
How to upload a signature online?
Find out how to upload your signature.
I am unsure what my national insurance number is?
You must prove your identity as part of the application process.
Your National Insurance Number (NINO) 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.
Get help to find your National Insurance number.
If you are unable to provide your national insurance number, you'll need to provide some documents so that we can confirm your identity.
What are my personal identifiers and how they are used?
On your application to vote by post you must provide your date of birth and signature, these are your “personal identifiers”.
When you vote by post you are required to complete and return a statement giving your personal identifiers. These are then checked against those you gave on your application to check that they match. If they do not match, your vote will not be counted and your postal vote rejected.
This is a security measure to prevent someone else from using your vote.
Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no-one knows how you have voted.
Last Updated on Monday, July 21, 2025