Just Three Weeks Left to Register to Vote in May’s Local Election and By-Election

There are now only three weeks left for residents to register to vote, and just over three weeks left to register for a postal vote, as May’s local elections and an additional by-election approach.

There will be 17 seats up for election covering every single ward across Reading on Thursday 7 May, including in Caversham Heights where there is an additional by-election and so two Councillors are being elected.

A full list of candidates will be published on Friday 10 April.

Midnight on Monday 20 April is the deadline to ensure you can vote. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote  - it only takes five minutes.

Voting by post is a really easy way to have your say. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is the following day, on Tuesday 21 April, at 5pm. Again, you can do that online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

And if you still prefer to your vote at your local polling station, you can find out where that is on your polling card. The first batch of polling cards will shortly be posted out, so do look out for them through the letterbox. A second batch will be posted out towards the end of April. When they arrive, please do take a minute to check your details and voting method are correct.

Need a reminder of the forms of ID you can use to vote in person? You can find a list at the Electoral Commission website.  You can also use expired ID, as long as you are still recognisable from the photo. If you do not have the right ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online at https://www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ right up to 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

You can also appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote. The deadline is 5pm on 28 April. You can do that at https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

We understand not every resident has access to online forms, and some will prefer hard copies. Whether it’s a form to register to vote, to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or to apply for voter ID, if you need a hard copy posted to you please contact your local elections team at elections@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3717.

Louise Duffield, Returning Officer for Reading Borough Council, said:

“We’re really keen to see as many residents as possible exercising their democratic right and voting in May’s local elections. We don’t want anyone to miss out because they weren’t aware of the deadline for registering, which is now only three short weeks away.

“Take 5 minutes out of the long Easter weekend coming up to make sure you are registered, or to apply for a postal or proxy vote if you need one. It’s really quick and easy to do online but, as always, if you have any questions we are here to help and don’t hesitate to contact the council who have a team of willing staff on hand to support residents.”

Visit https://www.reading.gov.uk/the-council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/ to find out more about the local borough elections on 7 May.