There are changes to voting by post and applying to vote by post. 

These changes affect voters, parties and campaigners from November 2023.  

You can now apply online to vote by post. You will also need to prove your identity as part of the application process and reapply for a postal vote every three years.

The changes apply to:

  • UK Parliamentary elections, including by-elections and recall petitions
  • Local elections in England
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.

The changes to postal vote handling and secrecy will also apply to local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland.

Changes for voters

Changes to postal voting came into effect on 31 October 2023. The changes include:

  • You can apply online to vote by post
  • You now to prove your identity as part of the application process. Both online and paper applications require ID verification.
  • You can hold a postal vote for a maximum period of three years. You need to reapply at the end of that time.  
     

Our role in the changes for voters

We have provided updated guidance and support to electoral administrators to help them understand and deliver the changes.

We are supporting local authorities to communicate the changes to voters who want to apply for a postal vote, including highlighting to them the option to apply online. We have also updated the postal vote application forms.

We have told political parties and campaigners about the postal vote changes.
 

Postal vote handling and secrecy

From 2 May 2024, restrictions on the handling of postal votes by campaigners will apply. Legislation will be in place from 9 December.

Changes to postal vote handling and secrecy

A ban and a new criminal offence will be in place to stop parties and campaigners handling certain completed postal votes and postal vote envelopes.

Voters will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs (in addition to their own).

Ministers will get new powers to make regulations to limit the number of postal ballot packs that someone can hand in on behalf of other voters, and would also require postal votes to be rejected if they are not handed in in accordance with the requirements.

Our role in the changes to postal vote handling and secrecy

We will update our guidance for electoral administrators and polling station staff to help them understand the changes.

We will also provide updated guidance for political parties and campaigners to help them comply with the changes on handling postal votes, which formalise a key part of our existing code of conduct for parties and campaigners.