Anyone can vote by post, but you must be registered to vote. If you have a postal vote, you cannot vote at a polling station.
A postal vote application is valid for three years. If you reapply, your new postal vote will start on the date of the most recent application; most people reapply for a postal vote during election periods (they do not realise/forget they have already an application in place)
Your poll card indicates if you vote in person at a polling station or if you are a postal voter
There are new rules regarding the postal voting application process.
These rules were introduced by the Elections Act 2022. From 31 October 2023, you are now able to apply online to vote by post. You still need to provide your full name, address, and date of birth. You must now provide your national insurance number when applying as we must verify an applicant’s identity.
Any applications received from 31 October, that do not provide a National Insurance number, will be rejected and you will need to reapply providing the required information.
Apply to vote by post online
To apply online, go to the GOV.UK website. The government portal is a secure site - the following information is required:
- Full name
- Address including postcode
- National insurance number
- Date of birth
- Handwritten signature (see Uploading your signature photo below for further guidance)
Q: Why has the law changed and I now need to provide my national insurance number?
A: When applying to vote by post the new rules require that all applicants must go through a verification process to identify them when applying to vote by post.
Q: What if I do not provide my national insurance number?
A: Any applications received from 31 October that do not provide a National Insurance number will be rejected and you will need to reapply providing the required information.
Q: I cannot find my national insurance number.
A: Your National Insurance number can be found on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip or P60.
Get help if you’ve lost your National Insurance number
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you will need to explain why. You can then upload alternative documents that will help us verify your application.
You can take a photo of your document(s) with a digital device (smartphone/tablet), use a scanner or upload an existing digital copy. All files must be in PNG, GIF, HEIC or PDF format, maximum file size 20MB.
Uploading your signature photo
You will need to upload a picture of your signature, the website will advise you on how to provide and upload this. You must make sure that your signature is:
- In focus
- Without shadows
- Without anything showing in the background
- The right way up
Request a paper application to vote by post
If you are unable to apply online, you can download an application form on GOV.UK. If you do not have a printer you can contact Electoral Services so we can send you a paper application; email electoral.services@sutton.gov.uk or call 020 8770 4179.
The deadline for applications for a postal vote is 5pm on the 11th working day before the election.
The paper application requires the same information and you will still need to provide your national insurance number on the paper application.
Your National Insurance number can be found on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip or P60.
Get help if you’ve lost your National Insurance number.
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you will need to explain why. We will contact you to supply alternative documents that will help us verify your application.
Postal votes during an election period
The deadline for applications for a postal vote is 5pm on the 11th working day before the election.
We send out ballot papers to reach voters the week before polling day. They go by first-class post with a special first-class reply envelope to return them. The Royal Mail treats postal votes as a priority.
The form includes instructions on how to return the postal vote. You’ll need to complete a postal voting statement with your signature and date of birth. We compare this to your original application to make sure that the person voting is the same as the person who applied for the postal vote. The vote cannot be counted if they do not match.
You must return the postal voting statement and your ballot paper(s) before the close of polling on the day of an election. If your postal vote arrives after the close of the poll, it will not be counted.
You can deliver your completed postal voting pack (ballot paper(s) and postal voting statement) to any polling station in Sutton on polling day between 7am - 10pm.
Renewing your postal vote
The law has changed for how long you can have a permanent postal vote. The maximum time you can have a postal vote is 3 years - if you have a permanent postal vote we will write to you when it is time for you to reapply.