- Postal voters must reapply every three years or their postal vote will be removed
- New identity verification rules apply, reapply online for a faster, easier process
- Deadline 31 January 2026
Tamworth Borough Council is urging all postal voters to reapply as soon as possible, by 31 January 2026 at the latest, or risk losing the ability to vote by post in upcoming elections.
This comes as part of national changes introduced under the Elections Act 2022, which brings significant reforms to the way postal and proxy votes are managed. One of the key changes is that existing postal voters must reapply every three years, even if they have used a postal vote for years. If they do not reapply by the deadline, their postal vote will be cancelled, and they will need to vote in person at a polling station.
All those registered for a postal vote for more than three years are being contacted by email or by post, urging them to act now to reapply. The new rules introduced by government require additional steps to confirm identity.
Applicants must provide their national insurance number, date of birth, and signature, which are verified by the Department for Work and Pensions.
This new requirement now affects approximately 9,387 people in Tamworth alone. With postal votes accounting for 38.6% of the total vote in the May 2025 elections.
Stephen Gabriel, returning officer at Tamworth Borough Council, said: “It’s really important to use your vote. We know that the convenience of postal voting suits a lot of people and with this significant change in how postal voting works, we want to make sure no one is left without a vote.
“Please don’t ignore the email or letter we send or mistake it for spam. Anyone who registered more than three years for a postal vote is being sent secure and official message from the council that contain everything you need to renew your postal vote quickly and easily.
“Don’t delay, protect your vote by reapplying in good time, if you forget or decide not to renew then you will of course still be able to vote in person.”
How to Reapply
Reapply online via the official government portal: Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK. Or visit Marmion House front desk and speak to a customer service advisor for face-to-face assistance, or call electoral services on 01827 214155, or email: elections@tamworth.gov.uk.
You will need:
- Your national insurance number.
- Your date of birth.
- A photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper. (People unable to provide a consistent signature can request a waiver).
Anyone who no longer wishes to vote by post should contact electoral services in writing. More information can be found here: Postal vote reapplication and proxy refresh. | Tamworth Borough Council.