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Postal Vote Renewal

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 30 January 2024, by law you were required to reapply by 31 January 2026. If you did not reapply, your postal vote has been cancelled. 

You can still: 

  • Vote in person at your polling station on 7 May [see your poll card for details or use our polling station postcode finder], or 

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 form 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 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.