Postal Vote reapplication
Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years. This means that all postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 will need to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026. If we do not receive a new application by this date, we are required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote in a polling station until we receive a new postal or proxy vote application.
We will be contacting all postal voters who are affected by this change in the coming weeks to explain how to reapply. We will be sending an initial email to all electors we hold an email address for, and this email will be sent from Gloucester@householdresponse.com
If we do not hold an email address on record, we will send affected postal voters a letter which explains what to do next in order to reapply for your postal vote. Please help us by responding as soon as possible.
How do I reapply for a postal vote?
The quickest and easiest way to reapply for a postal vote is online, by following the instructions here.
As part of your application, you will need to provide:
• Your Date of birth
• Your National Insurance Number
• A photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper
If you are unable to complete your application online, you can request a paper application form by emailing elections@gloucester.gov.uk or call us on 01452 369203.
Is the email I have received genuine?
The emails we are sending will have the subject line ‘Postal Vote Reapplication’ and the sender will be from Gloucester@householdresponse.com.
We may contact members of the same household in different ways depending on whether we have an email address for you.
How can I upload a signature online?
View guidance on uploading your signature.
I can’t sign consistently, what can I do?
If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature, you can still apply for a postal vote online. You will be required to provide a reason why you are unable to provide a consistent signature. Someone can help you complete the application, however that person will also be required to provide their details.
If you would prefer to complete a paper application, please contact us by email at elections@gloucester.gov.uk or call us on 01452 369203 and explain that you are unable to provide a consistent signature.
Why do you need my National Insurance number?
The Elections Act 2022 introduced a requirement for postal voters to provide suitable identity evidence as part of the application process. We ask for your National Insurance number so that we can verify this against the records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) If this identity check fails, we will ask for alternative evidence of your identity.
View help to find your National Insurance number.
If you are unable to provide your National Insurance number, you can provide an alternative form of ID, such as a photo or scanned copy of your passport or driving licence, as part of your application so that we can confirm your identity.
Why do I need to provide my date of birth and a signature as part of a postal vote application?
When you apply for a postal vote, you must provide your date of birth and signature. When you vote by post, you are required to complete and return a statement with your date of birth and signature. These are then checked against the signature and date of birth that you gave on your application. If they do not match, we cannot count your vote and your postal vote will be rejected.
This is a security measure to prevent someone else from using your vote. Your statement is kept separate from your ballot paper, so no one knows how you have voted.
What should I do if I no longer wish to vote by post?
You can cancel your postal vote at any time, but we do need your request in writing. You can email us at elections@gloucester.gov.uk to ask us to cancel your postal vote, or write to us at:
Electoral Services
Gloucester City Council
Eastgate Management Suite
Eastgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 1AP
We will need your request to include your full name and address. Please note that if you cancel your postal vote, you will need to take an accepted form of photo ID with you when you vote in a polling station. View more information on voter ID.