Renewing existing postal vote applications

Overview

The way you apply for a postal vote has changed. Voters must now renew their postal votes every three years.

If you applied for a postal vote before 31 October 2023, your postal vote will expire on 31 January 2026.

We will be contacting all affected postal voters who we hold an email address now to ask them to re-apply for their postal vote as soon as possible.

The quickest and easiest way to renew is to reapply for a postal vote online.

Why are we getting in touch now

The Elections Act 2022 introduced changes to the way people apply for a postal vote for applications received from 31 October 2023:

all postal vote applications must contain the applicant's name, address, date of birth, national insurance number and signature
the applicant's identity must be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails, the applicant must provide evidence of their identity
postal votes are now valid for a maximum of 3 years

All postal voters, who applied before 31 October 2023, must re-apply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026 in order to remain a postal voter.

We have started the renewal process early to allow voters time to re-apply and The Electoral Registration Team time to process the applications in advance of any scheduled elections.

How will we contact you

Currently we are only contacting affected postal voters that we hold an email address for.

So that you can spot a genuine email from us:

the email title will be 'Postal Vote Re Application'
If you live in Eastbourne the email will be from Eastbourne.electoral.services@notifications.services.gov.uk
If you live in the Lewes District the email will be from Lewes.electoral.services@notifications.services.gov.uk

We are using emails where a voter has provided an email address to reduce the cost of sending letters by post. Please help us by responding to our request for information as soon as possible.

Later in the year we will be sending out letters to all affected postal voters that we do not have an email address for and those who have not responded to our emails.

More Information

Please get in contact if:

you no longer wish to vote by post. (include your name, address and a request to remove your postal vote application)
you received an email, but are unable to complete your application online and want to ask for a paper form. (include your name, address and a request to have a paper application sent).

The next scheduled local government elections will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Electoral Services contact details and postal address

Electoral Services (Lewes District)

Phone: 01273 471600
Email: electoral@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk
Forms should be returned to:
Lewes Electoral Services
Town Hall, Grove Road
Eastbourne, BN21 4UG

Electoral Services (Eastbourne)