Renew your postal vote
Postal votes are only valid for a maximum of 3 years.
If you want to continue to vote by post, you must renew your postal voting arrangement by making a new application.
If you applied for a postal vote before 31 January 2024, your postal vote will expire on 31 January 2026.
We are contacting all affected postal voters to ask them to renew their postal vote as soon as possible.
How to renew your postal vote
You can renew your postal vote on GOV.UK by making a new application. You can do this for either:
- a single election on a specific date
- a specific period
- the maximum period (three years)
You will also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver within the service.
You can also renew by completing a paper form for a postal vote.
Paper application forms can be sent to us by:
- email at elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk Please email the completed forn including the signature as a PDF.
- post to
Electoral Office
PO Box 720
Banbury
OX16 6LR
Changes to application form
The Elections Act 2022 introduced a change to the information you need to give when making a postal vote application, for example:
- all postal vote applications must contain the applicant's name, address, date of birth, national insurance number and signature*
- the applicant's identity must be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- postal votes are now valid for a maximum of 3 years
*If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature (due to a disability or inability to read or write). You can ask for a signature wavier via the online application form or by contacting us at elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
How we will contact you
If you have provided us with an email address, we have already sent you an email telling you to reapply online.
So that you can spot a genuine email from us, the email:
- title will be 'Postal Vote Reapplication'
- will be from elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk TBC
You will receive a paper form by post at the beginning of October 2025, if you:
- have not already renewed online
- have not provided us with an email address
How to cancel your postal vote
If you want to cancel your postal vote, you must tell us:
- your full name and address
- that you no longer want to vote by post
We cannot accept postal vote cancellation requests by phone. Cancellation requests must be in writing.
You can do this via email to elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or write to Electoral Office, PO Box 720, Banbury, OX16 6LR
You can cancel your postal vote at any time, however, during an election period, the deadline to cancel is 11 working days before polling day.