Absent vote reapplication process - Postal voters urged to reapply

Issued on behalf of the ERO

The Electoral Registration Officer has been writing to electors across Highland and Western Isles to advise them of the need to reapply for their postal vote for UK Parliament elections. 

The need to reapply is due to changes brought in with the UK Elections Act, and domestic electors must now reapply for their postal vote every three years.  

Anyone who has received a letter and has not already reapplied, must do so by 31 January 2026 otherwise their postal vote will be cancelled.

Frank Finlayson, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles, said: “Anyone who is used to voting by post should either go online or complete and return the form recently sent to them. If they don’t reapply, they will find their postal vote for the next UK Parliamentary election is cancelled.”

Further information on the postal vote reapplication process can be found here 

 You can also call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 for further information.