Postal vote renewal

Following the introduction of the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years. You can find more information about how to apply here.

Changes to the postal vote renewal process 

Following the introduction of the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years and are required to have their identity verified as part of the application process.

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. Every postal voter will then be required to complete a new application every three years. 

The quickest and easiest way to reapply for a postal vote is online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote .

As part of the online application, you will be required to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper. You are also required to provide your National Insurance Number to verify your identity. 

If you are 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.

How we will 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. To ensure our emails can be identified as being genuine, the email title will be ‘Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – Postal Vote Reapplication' and will be sent from the following address redcar.and.cleveland.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk which is handled by the GOV.UK Notify system
  • If we do not hold an email address for you, we will contact you by post ahead of the deadline. You do not need to wait to be contacted and can reapply at any time before 31 January 2026.

Please note, it is possible that members of the same household will receive their reapplication invitation at different times, depending on whether an email address is held, and dependent on when the original postal vote applications were made.

We are 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.

Whilst the quickest and easiest way to reapply for your postal vote is online, we appreciate that this is not possible for all electors, therefore if you require a paper application form, please get it touch using the details at the bottom of this page. 

What if I no longer want to vote by post?

If you no longer wish to vote by post, please let us know so that we can remove your postal vote arrangements. If you have not made a new application or contacted us by 31 January 2026, your postal vote will be automatically cancelled. 

Any questions?

If you have any other questions, you can contact us using the following methods: