Absent Voting
Postal Voting
Postal Voting – Renewing Your Application
Changes to Postal Vote Applications
Due to changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal vote applications are now valid for a maximum of three years. You must reapply to continue voting by post.
- If you applied before 30 January 2024, you must reapply by 31 January 2026 to remain a postal voter.
- The quickest way to renew is via the official GOV.UK portal: apply for a postal vote
If you cannot reapply online, request a paper form here: Paper Form Request or contact us via: electoral.services@kingston.gov.uk or 020 8547 5026
How we'll contact you
We’ll begin contacting postal voters in May 2025:
- By email – if you’ve provided one. The email will come from rbk.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk with the subject line: ‘Postal Vote Re-application Notice’
- If we do not have your email or you don’t respond, a letter will be sent from June.
Applying online is the quickest and most cost-effective method, so please respond promptly to help us reduce administrative costs.
What has changed
From 31 October 2023, all new or renewed postal vote applications must include:
- Full name and address
- Date of birth and National Insurance number
- A signature (or apply for a signature waiver if applicable)
Your identity will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If the check fails, we’ll ask you to provide further evidence.
You can apply for:
- A single election
- A set period
- Or up to a maximum of 3 years
Going on Holiday Before an Election?
If you are likely to be away during the days leading up to an election, please note that postal voting packs are dispatched approximately 10 working days before polling day. In such cases, a proxy vote may be a more suitable option. The deadline for changing a postal voting arrangement is 5:00pm, 11 working days before an election.
Submitting a Paper Application
If you cannot apply online, you may request a paper form or download it from the GOV.UK website. If you are unable to print the form yourself, you may contact Electoral Services to request a printed copy.
Completed forms may be returned either by post or email:
Email: electoral.services@kingston.gov.uk
Postal Address:
Electoral Services
Guildhall
High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Please ensure scanned applications are clear and legible. Illegible signatures or forms that cannot be captured digitally will not be accepted.
Verification Process
To safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, the signature and date of birth on returned postal voting statements will be checked against your original application. If these details do not match, your vote may be rejected.
If you are unable to provide a consistent signature due to a disability or other reason, you may apply for a signature waiver. This can be requested online or by completing the relevant section of the paper application form.
Cancelling a Postal Vote
If you wish to cancel your postal vote, a written and signed request must be submitted. This may be done by email (as a scanned signed letter) or by post to the address above.
The deadline for cancelling a postal vote is 5:00pm, 11 working days before an election.
After this time, your existing postal voting arrangement will remain in effect and you will be unable to vote in person at a polling station.
For further information, including details of upcoming elections, please visit our Upcoming Elections page.
Apply for a postal vote
You can apply to vote by post on the government website.
When applying you will need to provide your national insurance number, date of birth and copy of your signature.
The maximum length a postal vote application can be held is 3 years before it needs to be renewed.
Please note if you are going away on holiday the week before an election then a proxy vote may be a better option as postal votes are sent from external printers in batches and may only be posted to you 10 days before the election.