Postal voters to be contacted about new requirements for reapplication

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 31 October 2023, your postal vote will expire on 31 January 2026 and you will need to make a new application. 

How we will contact you 

If you have provided an email address, we will 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 electoral@elmbridge.gov.uk

If you haven't provided an email address, we will send a letter to you in the post.  Please help save your council money by responding to this letter - if we don't receive a response, a reminder letter will need to be sent to your address. 

Reapply now

You don't have to wait to receive our reapplication reminder to make a new application. You can reapply for your postal vote online now on GOV.UK at any time.

Reapplying now will also make sure the signature we have for you is up-to-date, reducing the risk of your postal vote being rejected due to your signature failing to match our records.

Paper forms can also be downloaded from GOV.UK: Apply for a postal paper form, or you can request one from Elmbridge electoral services: electoral@elmbridge.gov.uk or 01372 474181 or 01372 474182.

What you need to reapply

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

If you don't have a National Insurance number or it can't be matched, you will 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, please contact us.

If you're no longer able to provide a signature, for example, due to a disability, please get in touch with us by emailing electoral@elmbridge.co.uk.