Electors can vote by post, once their application has been verified.  

Using the government online portal is the quickest and easiest way to apply for a postal vote.

As part of your application, you will be required to provide the following as your 'personal identifiers'

• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• upload a photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on pain white paper

This information is needed because when you complete a postal vote, a statement is provided with these personal identifiers and we check the identifiers against those provided on your application to check they match. If identifiers do not match, the postal vote must be rejected and your vote will not be counted. 

This is a security measure to prevent someone else from using your vote.

Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no-one knows how you have voted.

Find out how to upload your signature. 

If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature owing to a disability or inability to read or write, you can apply for a postal vote without giving your signature. Contact us on 01353 665555 for more information.

Get help finding your National Insurance number.

If you are unable to provide your National Insurance number, you will need to provide some alternative documents so your identity can be confirmed.

If you are unable to complete your application online you can download a paper application form in England. You can also request a paper application form by emailing elections@eastcambs.gov.uk or call electoral services on 01353 665555.

You can apply for a postal vote for up to a maximum of three years, or for a specific election, or for a specific period.  After the maximum three year period, you will need to re-apply. Your application will go through a verification process before being accepted.  If the verification process fails you will be contacted to provide additional information.

Please note:  If you move address your postal vote will be automatically cancelled. If you wish to continue to vote by post you will need to make a fresh application from your new address. 

Reapplying for a postal vote

Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years.

All postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 are required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026. 

If a new application is not received by 31 January 2026 the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote in person at a polling station until a new postal vote application is received, or a proxy is appointed to vote on their behalf.

We will be contacting all those affected by this change explaining how to reapply, we have started the process early to allow applications to be processed and any queries responded to, in advance of the legal deadline.

All postal voters affected, where we do not hold an email, will receive a letter containing information on what they need to do.

Some members of the same household may be contacted in different ways depending on whether we have an email address or not.

You can spot a genuine email from us as:

• the email title will be Notice to reapply for a postal vote
• the sender will be from elections@eastcambs.gov.uk 

If you no longer wish to vote by post you can cancel this by emailing elections@eastcambs.gov.uk or in writing to:

Electoral Services
East Cambridgeshire District Council
The Grange, Nutholt Lane
Ely, Cambs
CB7 4EE

Receiving and using your postal vote

Postal voters will be sent a postal pack containing their ballot paper and a statement.  This statement must be filled in with the elector's date of birth and be signed, before returning with the ballot paper.

Postal votes should be returned via a Royal Mail mailbox in plenty of time to be received at the council offices before the election.

Postal votes can also be handed in at the council offices or a polling station in the elector's voting area.  Anyone handing in a postal vote must complete a form (possibly a separate form for each election if more than one are being held the same day) before the postal vote can be accepted.  A maximum of five postal votes, plus the person's own, can be handed in - if someone hands in the maximum number they cannot then hand in any further postal votes at any other time or place.

Political campaigners are not permitted to handle anybody else's postal vote, except their own and that of family members or as someone's carer.

To vote by post, you must already be a registered voter.  Not everyone on the electoral register can vote in every election. If unsure, please check with electoral services by telephoning 01353 665555.