Are You Election Ready?

POLLING day is fast-approaching once again in Reading and residents are being reminded of a number of changes which have been introduced.

Both the Local Borough and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (PCC) will take place in Reading on Thursday 2^nd May 2024.

Residents not yet registered to vote have until 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024 to do so.  The easiest and quickest way is online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Residents can contact the Electoral Services Team if they need an application posted at elections@reading.gov.uk or 0118 937 3717.

Voter ID Needed at Polling Stations

Last year the Government introduced a new law which means residents have to show photographic ID to be able to vote at polling stations. That requirement continues this year.

People who plan to vote in person at a polling station are being asked to check now that they have an accepted form of ID. These include:

• Passport
• Driving licence/provisional licence
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card
• Identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards 

Voters can use expired ID, as long as they are still recognisable from the photo. A full list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website,

Residents who have a suitable photo ID need to remember to bring it with them on the day. Where a voter turns up at a polling station without photo identification, they will be asked to return home to find an acceptable form of photo ID before they can be issued with a ballot paper. A polling card alone does not entitle someone to vote.

Residents who do not have an accepted form of ID can apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) at https://www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/

Residents who need help with applying for a VAC, or prefer to request a paper application form,  can contact Electoral Services at elections@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3717.

VAC applications will be processed by the Council and posted to the relevant home address, or they can be collected at the Civic Offices upon appointment, which can be made by contacting Electoral Services on 0118 937 3717 or by emailing elections@reading.gov.uk

The deadline for applying for a VAC is 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024.

Postal and Proxy Votes

The alternative to having to show photo ID is to apply to the Council for a postal vote, or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.  Both of these options remove the need for photo ID, however, proxy voters will still need to show their photo ID.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote for this year’s elections is 5.00pm on Wednesday 17 April. For a proxy vote, it is 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 April.

Residents can find out more at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

Absent Vote Applications Process

From 31 October 2023, absent vote applications for all polls in England, UK Parliamentary elections in Scotland, and UK Parliamentary and PCC elections in Wales, must be verified against Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data. 

To apply for a postal vote, residents need to supply their National Insurance number, as well as their name, address, date of birth and signature, so that the Council can verify the identity of the person applying for the postal vote.  It is important to note that the Council is unable to accept electronic signatures. 

Postal vote applications will only be valid for a maximum three-year period. After this time, residents need to re-apply. The Council’s Electoral Services team will remind residents by writing to them ahead of their absent vote expiring.

Residents who cannot, or find it difficult to apply online, can contact Electoral Services on elections@reading.gov.uk or phone 0118 937 3717.

People are asked to use a Royal Mail post box to return their completed postal pack.  For those who miss the post, they can hand in their postal pack and/or the postal pack of others at the Council Offices on Bridge Street during office hours. An authorised member of staff will then assist residents in completing the required form. 

It is important to note that due to new legislation which comes into effect on polling day (May 2) this year, residents who drop off a postal pack, or have posted one through a council letter box without completing the necessary form, will have the postal pack rejected.

Residents can hand deliver up to 5 postal packs, in addition to their own.

 Michael Graham, Reading Borough Council’s Returning Officer, said:

 “It may seem early to be talking about getting ready for the Local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections on May 2, but changes brought in last year, and new ones this year, mean it is important to check now.

 “If you have voted at your local polling station for many years, it is easy to fall back on your same routine, but all residents will need to bring the right photographic ID with them when they come to vote in their Polling Station.  If they don’t bring photo ID, then they will be asked to return home to find the acceptable form of photo ID before they can vote.

 “There is, of course, an easy alternative to voting in person and having to show ID, which is to apply for a postal vote. You can do that via the Council’s website.

 “I’d also urge anyone who is unsure to make sure they are registered to vote.  If you are not registered, it only takes 5 minutes online and can be done at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”

Residents requiring further information or clarification contact the Electoral Services team at the Council by phoning 0118 937 3717 or email elections@reading.gov.uk

People can find out more at Local and Police & Crime Commissioner Elections – 2 May 2024 - Reading Borough Council

To find out more about the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections visit: www.choosemypcc.org.uk.  The site will be updated as and when information is available.  Alternatively, residents can phone 0300 1311 323 and request for information to be sent directly to them.