Reapplying for your postal vote

Who needs to reapply?

All postal voters who made their current application before 31 January 2024 are now required by law to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026.

We will be contacting all electors who need to reapply for their postal votes at the end of October 2025. However, you do not need to wait for us to contact you, you can reapply now using one of the methods below.

What happens if I don’t reapply by the deadline?

If a new application is not received by 31 January 2026, your existing postal vote will be cancelled but you will still be able to vote in person at your local polling station.

Polling station voters are now required to bring in an accepted form of photo ID on the day. Find out more about Voter ID.

How to reapply

If voting by post is easier or more convenient for you than voting in person, then reapply before the deadline on 31 January 2025. You can reapply online here:

Apply for a postal vote (GOV.UK)

If you are not able to apply online you can download and print a paper application form (GOV.UK), or you may request a paper form to be posted to you by emailing elreg@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or by telephone on 01737 276 794.

If you are unable to supply a consistent signature as part of your application, please ensure you complete the relevant section to let us know why.

I don’t want to vote by post

If you no longer want to vote by post please complete the absent vote cancellation form (PDF).

How we will contact you

Emails from us regarding postal vote reapplications will:

• have the email title ‘Reigate & Banstead Borough Council – 2025/2026 Postal Vote Reapplication’
• be sent from: reigate.and.banstead.borough.council.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk

If you have not provided us with your email address, or you do not reapply for your postal vote after being sent an email, we will post a letter that includes a paper application form.

Please help us to minimise costs by responding to your reapplication notice email as soon as possible.

What has changed

The Elections Act 2022 introduced changes to the way people apply for a postal vote for applications received from 31 October 2023:

• 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). If this identity check fails, the applicant must provide evidence of their identity
• postal votes are now valid for a maximum of three years

When are the next elections?

The next scheduled local government elections in Reigate & Banstead will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.