What is postal voting?
You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.
You can vote by post instead of going to vote in a polling station. The postal vote pack and ballot paper is sent to you by post for you to complete and return by polling day.
You may apply for a postal vote at any time and you do not need a reason. You can apply for a postal vote for a specific election, or for a maximum period of three years, after which you will need to apply again.
You need to prove your identity as part of the application process. Both online and paper applications require ID verification.
Postal votes are usually issued around ten days before an election. Completed postal voting packs and ballot papers must be returned by 10pm on polling day.
Requirement for some existing postal voters to re-apply
The way you apply for a postal vote has changed.
As part of the transition to the new system, existing postal voters who applied on the old system must re-apply for their postal vote before 31 January 2026.
We will contact all affected postal voters. In March we will send an email to people where we hold an email address.
In April, we will write to those who do not respond to the email, and those where we don't have an email address. This letter will include a paper form for you to complete.
Before the expiry date, we will send a reminder to all postal voters who have not completed a new application.
If no application is received by 31 January 2026, then your postal vote will be cancelled.
Apply for a postal vote
The way you apply for a postal vote has changed.
You can now apply online for a postal vote. You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.
Apply for a postal vote on the GOV.UK website
During the application process you will need to provide:
- Your National Insurance number
- A photograph of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper
If you cannot provide a signature, or cannot make a consistent signature, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver within the online service.
If you cannot provide a National Insurance number you might be asked for extra documents to confirm your identity.
Apply for a postal vote using a paper form
If you cannot apply online you can download and complete a paper form.
Download a paper form from the Electoral Commission website.
To return your paper form, or to request that we send you a paper application form you can use the contact details below.
Email: elections3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Post:
Electoral Registration Officer
South Lakeland House
Lowther Street
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
Alternatively you can contact the team in person at Barrow Town Hall, Kendal Town Hall, or Voreda House in Penrith.