Press Release

15 September 2025

Postal voters urged to re-apply for postal vote

Fareham Borough Council is reminding residents who vote in elections by post that they must re-apply for their postal vote if they wish to continue voting this way.

Following a change to the law under the Elections Act 2022, the maximum length of time an elector can hold a postal vote changed from indefinitely to a maximum period of three years. All domestic electors whose postal vote was granted on or before 30 January 2024 must re-apply by 31 January 2026, otherwise their entitlement to vote by post will expire.

The Council is required to notify voters that their postal vote is due to expire and provide information on how to re-apply. Those affected will receive a written notice by post in the coming weeks.

The quickest way to apply is online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. If electors are unable to use the online service, they can complete and return the application form on the reverse of their letter.

To prevent a surge of applications towards the end of the re-application period, the Council encourages voters to re-apply at their earliest opportunity.

If postal voters do not re-apply by 31 January 2026, their postal vote will be cancelled, as required by law. Notification of this cancellation will be emailed or written to the elector, explaining that they will only be able to vote in person at a polling station until they successfully apply again.

For more information about postal vote re-applications, visit the Council’s website: https://www.fareham.gov.uk/about_the_council/elections_and_voting/intro.aspx#PostalVoteReapplication.

If voters no longer wish to vote by post and therefore do not intend to re-apply for their postal vote, they should email elections@fareham.gov.uk to instruct the Council to cancel their postal vote, ensuring they include their full name and address.

For further information or assistance, please contact the Electoral Services team on 01329 824588.

ENDS