These changes have been made following recommendations in October 1999 by the Working Party on Electoral Procedures which had all party support. In order to vote in an election, a person's name needs to be on the electoral register. The register was previously only updated once a year in October, but the new system means people can vote to register to vote at any time. Previously, in order to obtain a postal vote certain criteria had to be met. The new rules mean anyone can vote by post.
People can register for a postal vote for a specific election or a longer period.
The deadline for postal vote applications will be 6 working days before polling day. These and other provisions in the Representation of the People Act 2000 which aim to modernise electoral arrangements came into effect on 16 February.