Electors in Reading may need to re-apply to vote by post this year

A total of 18,000 postal voters in Reading needed to reapply for their postal vote this year and there has been approximately 7,000 responses to date.

Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, all postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years. 

All postal voters who made their current application before 31 October 2023 are required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2026. If a new application is not received by this date, the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote at a polling station until a new postal vote application is received, or a proxy is appointed. 

Reading Borough Council’s election team sent out notifications in June to those affected electors. They were contacted by email or post with information on the necessary steps to make a new application.

If a new application to vote by post is not made, the current postal vote will be cancelled. For people who have not yet made a new application, an official removal notice letter shall be despatched in February 2026.

The Elections Act 2022 introduced the following changes for voters who applied for a postal vote after 31 October 2023: 

As part of their application, voters will be required to provide their: 

• Date of birth 

• National Insurance Number 

• A signature. Where voters are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature, they are asked to contact Electoral Services.

• Electors must prove suitable identity as part of the application process. Identity will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails, electors must provide evidence of their identity. 

• Postal vote applications are now valid for a maximum period of three years and a new application must be made at the end of that time.

If they have not yet made a new application, the quickest and simplest way for electors to do so is online www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Alternatively, if an elector is unable to go online to make a new application, they can contact the elections team and request a form to be posted to them.

Electors are being advised if they no longer wish to vote by post they should contact elections@reading.gov.uk or by letter to: Reading Borough Council, Electoral Services, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. Telephone: 0118 937 3717.

Please respond by 29 September 2025 to avoid further reminders being sent.

Should electors have any queries, they should contact Electoral Services 0118 937 3717 or email elections@reading.gov.uk.