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 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 Voter ID on the day.

All those affected by this change will be contacted 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 elections@election.fenland.gov.uk

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 is online at Apply for a 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 voter 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 of Work and Pension (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 Postal Vote Reapplication
• the sender will be from elections@election.fenland.gov.uk

Some members of the same household may be contacted in different ways depending on whether we have an e-mail address or not.

We are using emails where a voter has provided an email address to reduce our carbon footprint and to reduce the cost of sending letters by post.

Please help us by responding as soon as possible.

How do I reapply for a postal vote?

You can apply online at Apply for a postal vote

As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:

• Date of Birth
• National Insurance Number
• Upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black in on plain white paper.

If you are unable to complete your application online you can download a paper application form in England. You can also request a paper application form by emailing elections@fenland.gov.uk or call Electoral Services on 01354 654321.

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 postal vote without giving your signature at Apply for a postal vote.

You will be required to provide a reason why you are unable to provide a consistent signature.

If you have had help completing the application, that person will be required to supply their details.

If you prefer to complete a paper application, please contact us by email or phone and request a waiver declaration to be sent to you. The waiver declaration needs to be returned with your postal vote application form.

How to upload a signature online?

Find out how to upload your signature

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) will be verified against records held by DWP. If this identity check fails, you must provide evidence of your identity.

Get help to find your National Insurance Number

If you unable provide your NINO, you'll need to provide some documents so that your identity can be confirmed.

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@fenland.gov.uk or by letter to:

Electoral Services

Fenland Hall

County Road

March

Cambs PE15 8NQ

Your correspondence must include your full name and address.

Be aware that if you are no longer a postal voter, you now need to take an accepted form of photo ID with you to vote in a polling station. For more information visit Voter ID.

What are my personal identifiers and how are they 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 noone knows how you have voted.