Reapplying for your postal vote

Following changes implemented by central Government, it is no longer possible to have a permanent postal vote. Instead, a postal vote stays in place for a period of three years: up to the third 31 January from when your application was granted.

For example, if you applied for a postal vote on or before 1 January 2024, your postal vote will remain in place until 31 January 2026, unless you cancel it in the meantime. However, if you applied for a postal vote on or after 1 February 2024, it will remain, unless cancelled, until 31 January 2027.

It is the job of the Council to keep the electoral register up to date. We will write to people a year in advance of your postal vote coming to an end. It is up to you to take action when you receive a re-application notice, or you will risk losing your postal vote.

Existing postal voters

Anybody with a postal vote in place before 31 October 2023 will not be subject to the reapplication process until 31 January 2026. If you had a postal vote in place before this date, the Council will write to you with instructions on how to reapply and to carry on voting by post if you wish to. We may email you with these instructions from the email address "stockton-on-tees@householdresponse.com".

If you submit another application at any point during the period your postal vote is valid, then the 'up to 3 year' period will be based on when your subsequent application was received.

If you do not provide a new application before your renewal date, the law requires that your postal vote is cancelled and you will only be able to vote in person at a polling station. If your postal vote is cancelled you can make a new application to vote by post at any time.

Reapplying to vote by post

The easiest way to reapply is online. Visit the Government website to submit an application.

Apply to vote by post

You will need to upload a photograph of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain paper to apply online.

If you're unable to complete an application using the online service, please contact the Council's electoral helpline on 01642 526196.