Postal voting

Postal vote frequently asked questions

You can arrange a postal vote for the following periods:

  • For a maximum period of three years after which you will have to re-apply if you wish to continue to vote by post
  • For a certain election; or for a defined period.

If you would like to confirm your postal vote arrangements, please contact your local Electoral Services office.

The postal vote can be sent to any address you supply at the time of application. It is your responsibility to ensure that your Electoral Services office receives the postal vote by 10pm on polling day. If you are already registered for a postal vote and you would like to change the address your postal vote will be sent to, you will need to provide a reason to have your postal vote re-directed. This will need to be done 11 days before the date of any election.

A new ballot paper cannot be issued at the polling station if you are a postal voter. You should complete your postal voting pack. This can be handed in at the polling station. Polling station staff will ask you to complete a short form before they accept it. If you wish to cancel your postal vote you will need to do this by 5pm on 21 April 2026.

New security measures have been put in place to mitigate electoral fraud. The National Insurance Number, date of birth and signature is used to verify the application is not made by someone else.

If you are unable to provide a signature or require help to complete the form, please contact your local Electoral Services office

Register to vote

You can register on GOV.UK to vote in elections and referendums in the UK.

Register to vote
Apply online