Vote by post or proxy

You may receive an email or letter from us about postal or proxy voter reapplications. 

Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, absent voters (postal, proxy and postal proxy voters) are now required to reapply every 3 years. This helps to ensure the security and accuracy of the absent voter system.

If you applied for a permanent postal vote before 30 January 2024, your postal vote expired on 31 January 2026 and you will need to make a new application.

We will contact you about your reapplication. You can also reapply now.

How we will contact you  

If you have provided an email address, we’ll contact you about your reapplication by email. 

To check that the email you receive is genuine:

• the email subject will be ‘Postal vote reapplication – please respond’
• the email will be sent from elmbridge.electoral@notifications.service.gov.uk

If you haven't provided an email address, we’ll send a letter to you in the post.  If we do not receive a response, we’ll send a reminder letter. 

If your postal vote expired on 31 January 2026, your will receive a cancellation letter in the post. If you have recently submitted a new application, you may still receive a cancellation letter. In this case, you do not need to complete a new application. 

If there are queries with your application, we will contact to you either by email (if provided) or letter to request supporting documents or information to process your application. 

Reapply now

You don't have to wait to receive our reapplication reminder to make a new application. 

Reapplying now will make sure the signature we have for you is up to date, reducing the risk of your postal vote being rejected because your signature does not match our records. It also avoids reminders in the post, which helps save paper. If you have applied online, you do not need to complete a paper application.

You can reapply for your postal vote online.

Reapply for your postal vote on GOV.UK

What you need to reapply

You'll need to provide your National Insurance number so that your identity can be verified.  

If you do not have a National Insurance number or it cannot be matched, you’ll need to provide supporting documents, and it may take longer to process your application. An example of a supporting document is a copy of your passport or driver’s licence. 

If you're unsure what's needed, contact electoral services.

If you're no longer able to provide a signature, for example due to a disability, contact electoral services.