Reapplying for a postal vote
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Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote at least every three years.
If you applied for a postal vote before 30 January 2024, you must apply again by 31 January 2026 to remain a postal voter.
Postal vote renewals - how long does a postal vote last?
Under the Elections Act 2022, postal votes have a fixed expiry date: 31 January in the third calendar year after application.
This means your postal vote will not actually last three years - it expires on the third 31 January after your application is approved. For example:
- If you applied in February 2023, your postal vote will expire on 31 January 2026 - almost a full three years
- However, if you applied on 30 January 2024, it will still expire on 31 January 2026 - just over two years
To stay eligible to vote by post, you must reapply before your postal vote expires.
The quickest and easiest way to renew is to apply for a postal vote on Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK.
We have started the renewal process early to allow you to apply in advance of any scheduled elections. The next scheduled Local Government elections in Barnet will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
How we will contact you
We are using emails where a voter has provided an email address to reduce our carbon footprint and to reduce the cost of sending letters by post.
You can spot a genuine email from us as:
- the email title will be Your Postal Vote is Due to Expire - Action Needed
- the sender will be from ero@barnet.gov.uk or lbbarnet.electoral.services@notifications.service.gov.uk
Do not respond to emails from any other source and carefully check the spelling of the email address from which the email was sent if you are unsure.
Post
A letter will be sent providing details of how you can reapply for a postal vote.
Some members of the same household may be contacted in different ways depending on whether we have an email address or not.
Please help us to minimise costs by responding to your renewal notice as soon as possible.
If you do not reapply by 31 January 2026 your current postal voting arrangement will be cancelled, and you will have to vote in a polling station until a new postal vote application is received or a proxy is appointed.
Further information regarding postal votes can be found on Apply to vote by post.