Running electoral registration - England

An application for a postal vote must include the following information:1  

• the full name of the elector 
• the address where the elector is (or has applied to be) registered to vote 
• the elector’s date of birth 
• the elector’s National Insurance number (NINo) or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so 
• the elector’s signature (or a request for a signature waiver) 
• whether the application is for a poll on a particular date (and if so, confirmation of which one), a particular period (and if so, the date range of the period) or for the maximum period allowed
• an indication of which polls the application applies to
• the address where the postal ballot pack should be sent and, if this is not the registered address, a reason for the redirection.

The applicant’s full name, National Insurance number (NINo), and date of birth (DOB) are also known as their personal identifiers and these pieces of information are used to perform the data match with DWP to verify an applicant’s identity.

Our guidance for Electoral Registration Officers on National Insurance numbers and Dates of birth covers more information on personal identifiers. 

If an applicant is unable to provide a NINo they may provide with their application a copy of the documents listed in acceptable documents for the exceptions process.2  

If provided, these documents can be used to verify an applicant’s identity. This may be particularly useful close to the deadline for a poll to ensure that an application can be processed without delay.

An application may also contain the applicant’s previous name, email address and telephone number, but they are not a requirement.