One Week Left to Register to Vote

RESIDENTS have just one week left to register to vote in Reading’s first ‘all-out’ elections in 18 years.

Thursday 14 April is the deadline for residents to ensure they are on the electoral register in order to be able to vote on Thursday 5 May. For people who choose to vote by post, the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 19 April. 

As always, the easiest and quickest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

There are a number of ways for people to cast their vote in the 2022 Local Elections. Residents can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote. For postal and proxy votes, people can visit Local Borough Elections 2022 - Reading Borough Council to download the Absent Vote Application Forms.

Polling cards are being posted out to households across the borough. Residents are asked to take a second to check their card carefully to ensure their details and voting method is correct. 

Residents who choose to vote at polling stations are being urged to double check ahead of polling day this year to see if their usual polling station has changed as a result of a recent Local Ward Boundary Review in Reading. Residents can check their local polling station on their polling cards or by using the polling station finder at https://democracyclub.org.uk/projects/election-widget/ Information on polling stations is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information.

On polling day itself, staff will be on hand to assist voters with any questions about filling out their ballot paper. There are also a number of items that will be available at polling stations to help people cast their vote, including large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices to help those with a visual impairment.

Christopher Brooks, Electoral Registration Officer for Reading Borough Council, said:

“Time is running out for residents in Reading to ensure they can vote in Reading’s first all-out election for 18 years. I’d urge people not to leave it to the last minute to register, but to take a few minutes to do it online well before the deadline of April 14.

“Changes to ward boundaries this year may mean some changes to polling stations for some. If you have voted at the same polling station for years, please take a minute or two to familiarise yourself with the changes ahead of polling day by using the Polling Station finder at https://democracyclub.org.uk/projects/election-widget/

“Residents can also be assured that the election team at Reading will again be putting in place the same arrangements we had last year to ensure people feel safe when they visit their local polling station next month.”

It is not too late for people to apply to vote by post or by proxy. Residents can request an application be sent to them by contacting the Electoral Services Team by emailing Elections@reading.gov.uk or phoning 0118 937 3717.

Residents can visit the FAQ page on the website at Local Borough Elections 2022 - Reading Borough Council to find out more about the elections on 5 May 2022, including a full list of candidates for all 16 wards when published. Residents with questions can also contact their local elections team at Elections@reading.gov.uk