A TOTAL of 18,000 existing postal voters in Reading will need to re-apply for their postal vote this year ahead of the council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026. You can renew your postal vote or apply for the first time here.
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.
Councillor Kathryn McCann (Green Party, Redlands Ward) said: “Voting by post makes it really easy to vote. You get your ballot paper a few weeks before election day and can either post it back or hand it in at any polling station. Don’t to get to renew your postal vote or apply for a new one.”
Reading Borough Council’s election team is starting the postal vote re-application process now, giving electors plenty of time to re-apply for their postal vote before the next scheduled election takes place on 7 May 2026.
The quickest and simplest way for electors to make an application is online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Alternatively, electors can complete and return the form included in the email or letter that is being sent out to those electors required to make a new postal application.
Electors are being advised if they want a paper application form or they no longer wish to vote by post then they should contact elections@reading.gov.uk or write to: Reading Borough Council Electoral Services, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU or telephone: 0118 937 3717.