Request for a fresh signature from postal voters

You currently have a[permanent] postalvote [until xxx] for [all elections] [UK Parliamentary elections only] [local government elections only].

On your application to vote by postyou providedyour date of birth and signature (your ‘personal identifiers’).When youvote by post you complete and return a statementgiving your personal identifiers. We check the personal identifiers on your statement against those you gave on your application to check that they match. If they do not match, your vote cannot be counted. This is to prevent someone else from using your vote.

Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no-one knows how you have voted.

People’s signatures can change over time so I am required by lawto ask you for a fresh signaturenow to make sure that my records are up to date.

[Please complete the enclosed form/signature box below] and return it by [xxx].

If you do not provide a fresh signature by this date we are required by law tocancel your postal vote and you will only be able to vote in person at a polling station.

If you now cannot sign, or cannot sign in the same way every time, but still want to vote by post, you can apply to keep your postal vote without giving your signature. For more information and to find out how to apply, please contact me.

If your postal vote is cancelled, you can apply for a new one but you willagain need to provide your personal identifiers. You can apply for a new postal voteup to 5pm, 11 working days before an election.

The data controller will only use the information you provide for electoral purposesand will look after your personal information securely, following data protection legislation. The data controller will not give personal information about you and the personal information you may provide on other people to anyone else or another organisation unless required to by law.

The lawful basis to collect this information is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and exercise of official authority as vested in the Electoral Registration Officer as set out in Representation of the People Act 1983 and associated regulations.

The Electoral Registration Officer is the data controller. You can find their contact details at www.yourvotematters.co.uk.