Reapplying for a postal vote

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 now required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026. If a new application is not received by this date 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. You can find more information about Voter ID at https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20657/voting_in_elections/1847/voter_identification

We will be contacting all those affected by this change in the coming weeks explaining how to reapply.

We will be sending an initial email to all electors we hold an email address for, which will be sent from the Governments Secure NOTIFY system. All other postal voters affected, for whom we do not hold an email, will receive a letter which will contain information on what to do next.

The quickest and easiest way to reapply for a postal vote at:

www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

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.

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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the email I have received genuine?

You can spot a genuine email from us as:

• the email title will be ‘notice to reapply for a postal vote’
• the sender will be from electoralservices@warwickdc.gov.uk
• We will also be sending email and text notifications via the UK Governments notification service, these will have the senders address as: electoral.service.warwick.district.council@notifications.service.gov.uk
• Some members of the same household may be contacted in different ways depending on whether we have an email address/mobile contact number or not.

Please help us by responding as soon as possible.

How do I reapply for a postal vote?

You can apply for a postal vote online, you will be required to provide your:

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

If you are unable to complete your application online you can download a paper application form. You can also request a paper application form by emailing elections@warwickdc.gov.uk or call Electoral Services on 01926 456105.

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 signature waiver. You will be required to provide a reason why you are unable to provide a consistent signature. For example, due to disability or an inability to read/write.

For a signature waiver application form, please contact us.

How to upload a signature online?

Find out how to upload your signature by visiting https://postal-vote.service.gov.uk/signature-image-guidance

 

 

 

 

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) within your application will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails or you do not hold a NINO, then you must provide evidence of your identity.

Get help to find your National Insurance number by clicking here: Find your National Insurance number - GOV.UK

I no longer wish to vote by post, what do I need to do?

Cancellation of postal votes must be made in writing, and this can be done by email to elections@warwickdc.gov.uk or by letter to:

Electoral Services

Warwick District Council

Town Hall

Parade

Royal Leamington Spa

CV32 4AT

 

Your correspondence must include your full name and address.

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.

When is the next scheduled election?

Currently, the next scheduled elections will be in May 2027. However, we advise that you apply early for your postal vote in the event of any unscheduled elections. Postal vote ballot packs are dispatched in tranches. If your postal vote is in place before an election timetable commences, then your ballot pack should be included in the first initial dispatch. If you apply when an election timetable is in progress, you may not receive your ballot pack until a week before a poll.