Bolton residents who vote by post are being urged to reapply before January next year, following changes to UK election laws.
New rules brought in by the Elections Act 2022 mean voters are now required to renew their postal vote application every three years.
As part of this change, anyone who completed a postal vote application before October 2023 must renew it no later than the end of January.
After this deadline, voters who have not renewed will be removed from the system and have their post vote cancelled.
If this happens, voters can apply for a new postal vote at any time and will still be able to vote at polling stations as normal.
Ahead of the changes, Bolton Council will be sending emails and letters to everyone affected with instruction on how to reapply.
The quickest and easiest way is to visit gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
As part of the online process, applicants are asked to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
Anyone not renewing online will be sent paper forms later this year.
Lee Fallows, Bolton Council’s Director of Corporate Resources, said:
“We want everyone in Bolton who wishes to vote to be able to do so in whatever way is easiest for them.
“In the coming weeks we will be writing to everyone who is affected by these new rules, with full details of how to reapply for a postal vote.
“If you receive a letter or email from us on this topic, please be assured that this is a genuine communication, and follow the steps to ensure you can still vote by post.”
For more information, visit bolton.gov.uk/voting.
The next scheduled elections in Bolton are in May 2026.