How to vote

You can apply for a postal vote for one of the following:

• a single election on a specific date
• a specific period
• the maximum period (three years), after which you will need to reapply –  we will contact you by post or email before your postal vote expires

When you apply for a postal vote, you must provide your date of birth and signature (known as your ‘personal identifiers’).

If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature (due to a disability or inability to read or write), you can contact us to ask for a signature wavier.

Application deadline

You can apply for a new postal vote up to 11 working days (by 5pm) before an election. 

Apply online

To vote by post, you must be registered to vote. You will then need to fill out a form on the GOV.UK website.

Start now

Apply using a paper form

Download a paper postal vote application form – Electoral Commission.

Post your completed form to customer services using the details at the bottom of this page.

You can also contact us to ask for a paper application form.

Reapply for a postal vote

We will contact you by email or post to invite you to reapply.

By email

If we have your email address, we will send you a renewal request with instructions. 

By post

If we do not have your email address, we will send a renewal notice by post.

Cancel your postal vote

If you want to cancel your postal vote:

• you must do so in writing
• make sure you sign your request so that we can check this with your original application

We also accept a scanned copy of the written request by email.