Following the introduction of the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are required to reapply for their postal vote every 3 years.
Changes to the postal vote renewal process
The Elections Act 2022 introduced new requirements when you apply for a postal vote and the length of time you can have one for.
Postal vote arrangements are no longer permanent and can now only be made for a maximum period of 3 years. After this, they must be renewed, or they will automatically expire.
All postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 are required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026 if they wish to continue to vote by post.
You’re also now required to have your identity verified as part of the application process and can also make new postal vote applications online through the government website.
Reapply for postal voting
The quickest and easiest way to reapply for a postal vote is online.
What you need to apply
During the application, you’ll be required to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
You’ll also need your National Insurance Number to verify your identity.
If you’re unable to provide a signature, or a consistent signature due to a disability or inability to read or write, but still want to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote without giving your signature. This option is available online. However, if you require more information about how to apply in this way, please contact us.
If you can’t apply online
Whilst the quickest and easiest way to reapply for your postal vote is online, we appreciate that this is not possible for all electors. If you require a paper application form, please get in touch with us.
How we’ll contact you
If we hold an email address for you, an email will be sent with details of how to renew your postal vote application.
We’ve taken steps to ensure our emails can be identified as being genuine:
- the email title will be “Postal Vote Reapplication”
- it will be sent from “Electoral Services – Sheffield City Council”
It will also have the following address electoral.services.sheffield.city.council@notifications.service.gov.uk (which is handled by the GOV.UK notify system).
If we don’t hold an email address for you, we’ll contact you by post ahead of the deadline.
You don’t need to wait until we contact you and can reapply at any time before 31 January 2026.
It’s possible that members of the same household will receive their reapplication invitation at different times. This is dependent on whether an email address is held and when the original postal vote applications were made.
We’re using emails to reduce the cost of obtaining information from our residents. Please help us by responding to our request for information as soon as possible.
If you no longer want to vote by post
If you no longer wish to vote by post, let us know so that we can remove your postal vote arrangements.
If you haven’t made a new application or contacted us by 31 January 2026, your postal vote will be automatically cancelled.