If you applied for a permanent postal vote before 31 January 2025, your vote will expire on 31 January 2027. To continue voting by post, you must re-apply.
Why you need to re-apply
Due to changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, all postal votes now:
- are valid for a maximum of 3 years.
- require re-application with updated identity verification.
This helps keep the electoral register secure and up to date.
Key dates
- Deadline to re-apply: 31 January 2027.
Notices and reminders asking you to reapply will be sent out in autumn 2026.
How to re-apply
The quickest and easiest way is to apply online.
You will need your:
- Full name and address.
- Date of birth.
- National insurance number.
- Signature.
Your identity will be checked against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you are unable to apply online, you can apply using a paper form. You can either download and print a form or contact elections@tandridge.gov.uk and we will send you one in the post.
How we’ll contact you
We may contact you via:
- E-mail from: tandridge.elections@notifications.service.gov.uk.
- Text from: Tandridge Elections.
- Post (if no email is on file).
All messages will be genuine and secure.
Returning your postal vote at elections
Your postal vote will be sent to you around two weeks before polling day.
Postal votes for the May 2026 elections will be sent out on:
• 20 April (if you applied before 8 April).
• 24 April (if you applied between 8 April to 21 April).
If you have not received your postal vote, we can re-issue you with a new pack from Thursday 30 April.
The deadline to apply for or cancel a postal vote is 5pm on 21 April.
To return your postal vote, you can:
- Use the freepost envelope via Royal Mail – no extra forms needed.
- Hand it in at The Council Offices in Oxted or a polling station, you must then complete a Postal Vote Return (PVR). You can hand in your own vote plus up to five others.
Need help?
If you no longer wish to vote by post or need assistance please e-mail: elections@tandridge.gov.uk.