Watford Borough Council is reminding residents who vote by post that they may need to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026 to continue voting by post.
Postal votes can now only remain valid for a maximum of three years under the Elections Act 2022. This means that anyone whose current postal vote was granted on or before 31 January 2024 will need to submit a new application before the January deadline. If a new application is not received by 31 January 2026, the existing postal vote will be cancelled, and the elector’s voting method will automatically revert to voting in person at their polling station.
Donna Nolan, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Watford Borough Council said: “It’s important that postal voters check whether they need to reapply so that all residents can continue to have their say on the future of Watford. If you applied before 31 January 2024 and don’t submit a new application by 31 January 2026, your postal vote will be cancelled. Reapplying is quick and can be done online, helping to ensure you can continue voting by post without interruption. Our elections team is available to help and answer any questions residents may have throughout the process.”
All eligible postal voters who are affected by these changes have been contacted by Watford Borough Council, either by email or by post. If the council holds an email address, an initial message explaining how to reapply will have been sent from elections@watford.gov.uk.
Where an email address is not held, or where no response has been received, a letter has been issued by post with further instructions. Residents are advised to check their email or post carefully and reapply for their postal vote at the earliest opportunity to avoid any disruption to their ability to vote by post.
The quickest and easiest way to reapply is online.
Apply online here
Alternatively, residents can download and complete a paper application form, then either:
- Scan and email it to elections@watford.gov.uk, or
- Send it by post to Electoral Services, Town Hall, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3EX
Download a postal vote application form here
Watford Borough Council is encouraging all affected residents to act as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
For more information, please visit: www.watford.gov.uk/elections or you can contact our Electoral Services Team on 01923 278369.
