Reapplying for a postal vote

Following some changes in the Elections Act 2022 legislation, postal votes applied for on a permanent basis now only last for a maximum of three years. After this three-year period has passed the postal vote will expire and voters will be asked to reapply if they wish to continue to vote by post. If your postal vote is due to expire, we will write to you ahead of the expiry date to remind you to reapply if you wish to continue to vote by post. You do not have to wait to receive our re-application reminder to make a new application, you can apply online.

How to reapply

Apply online

You will need to provide the following:

  • Date of birth
  • National Insurance Number
  • Handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper that you need to photograph and upload. It is very easy to do this using a smartphone or tablet

Or you can complete and return a paper application form.

Paper application forms can be sent to us by:

  • Post: Electoral Services, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 9SA
  • Hand deliver: Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 9SA
  • Email: [email protected]

How we will contact you: 

If you have provided us with an email address, we will contact you to confirm that you must reapply online, if you wish to continue to vote by post.

So that you can spot a genuine email from us:

  • the email title will be 'Notice to reapply for a postal vote'
  • the email will be from the email address: cheltenham.borough.council.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk

You will receive a paper form by post if you:

  • have not reapplied online
  • have not provided us with an email address

More information

When you reapply for your postal vote, you will receive an acknowledgement email. You may receive an email asking for evidence of your identity for your application. These emails are genuine and will be sent from the gov.uk application service email address. Please look out for these emails to ensure that your application can be processed. If you do not complete a new application before the expiry date, the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to cancel your 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.