Half of Reading postal voters could lose their vote

More than 9,000 people in Reading might not be able to vote by post because they haven't reapplied to vote by post.

What's changed?

The rules for postal votes have changed. Now, if you want to vote by post, you have to apply every three years. The deadline to reapply is 31 January 2026. Before, you could keep your postal vote forever - you just had to update your signature every five years.

Who needs to reapply?

About 18,000 people in Reading need to reapply if they want to vote by post in next May's local elections. So far, only half of them have done it. That means 9,086 people still need to reapply.

What has the council done?

Reading Borough Council has already written to everyone who needs to reapply at least twice this year. If they have an email address, people have been sent at least three messages. The most recent reminder was sent on 9 October by email and letter.

What happens if you don't reapply?

The deadline is 31 January 2026. If you don't reapply by then, the council has to remove your postal vote. This means you won't be able to vote by post.

How to reapply

The easiest way is to go online to www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

If you can't use the internet, you can contact the elections team:

• Phone: 0118 937 3717
• Email: elections@reading.gov.uk

They will send you a paper form.

Don't want to vote by post anymore?

If you've decided you don't want to vote by post, let the council know:

• Email: elections@reading.gov.uk
• Write to: Reading Borough Council, Electoral Services, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
• Phone: 0118 937 3717

Mike Graham, Electoral Registration Officer at Reading Borough Council, said:

“It’s concerning that there are currently over 9,000 electors in Reading who could be waiting for a postal vote for next year’s local elections that may never arrive.

“The council is working hard to make contact with all of these postal voters, either by post or by email, or both. There are just over three months left now before these postal votes will be cancelled, so residents are urged to look out for emails and letters from the Council - including those that have already been sent - and act now.  

“Any resident who does not reapply in time can of course vote in person at their local polling station, but we know many residents prefer the ease and speed of voting by post.   

“As always, the quickest and simplest way for electors to reapply is online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.”