Due to changes in the Elections Act 2022, applications for postal votes can now only be in place for either a set period of time and a maximum of up to 3 years. This means that if an elector wants their postal vote to remain in place for longer than that, they will need to make a new application when their current postal vote period ends.
What this means for you
During March to May 2025, we will be contacting, via email, every elector whose postal vote period is due to end shortly and who we hold an email address for. This communication will include instructions on how to make a new application.
The email you receive from us will come from: electoral.services.dudley.metropolitan.borough.council@notifications.service.gov.uk
From July we will be contacting, via post, the remaining electors whose postal vote period is due to end shortly.
If you receive a notification from us by email or post, please complete your application as soon as possible. This ensures you are still registered to vote by post for all future elections.
Apply for a new postal vote
You must live and be registered to vote in England to apply for a postal vote.
You will need the following information to complete this gov.uk application:
- National Insurance Number
- the address where you are registered to vote
- a clear photo of your handwritten signature. This needs to be in black ink and on plain white paper
Visit gov.uk and apply now.
If you are not able to complete an application using the online service you can either:
- visit gov.uk and download a copy of the form
- await the paper copy of the letter and application form in July and August
Your completed application then needs to be returned to us.
Your personal identifiers and how they are used
In your application to vote by post, you will be asked to provide your date of birth and signature, also known as your "personal identifiers".
When you then make a vote by post, you will be asked to complete and return a statement giving your personal identifiers. We then check the personal identifiers on your statement against those you gave on your application to check that they match. If they do not match, your vote cannot be counted. This is to prevent someone else from using your vote.
Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so nobody else knows how you have voted.
If you are unable to provide a signature
You can still apply for a postal vote if you can't provide a consistent signature. If you apply online and someone is helping you with your application, there is an option to include the name of the person helping you and the reason why you are unable to provide a consistent signature.
If you complete a paper application, please contact by phone or email and request a waiver declaration to be sent to you. The waiver declaration needs to be returned with your postal vote application form by either email or post.
Cancelling your postal vote
If you wish to cancel your postal vote, please contact Electoral Services in writing via email or post so that we can remove your existing arrangement.
Contact us
If you need any further help or guidance, please contact Electoral Services.
Email: elections@dudley.gov.uk
Electoral Services
Council House
Priory Road
Dudley
DY1 1HF