How to vote

There are 3 ways to vote in the local election on Thursday 7 May 2026:

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

You must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026.

Register to vote

Vote in person at a polling station

You must vote at your designated polling station. This will be shown on your poll card.

If you haven’t received a polling card but think you should have, please contact us to check your registration on 0118 937 3717 or elections@reading.gov.uk.

You don’t need your poll card to vote.

Bring photo ID

You must bring an accepted form of photo ID to vote at a polling station.

Accepted forms of ID include:

  • passport
  • driving licence (including provisional)
  • Blue Badge
  • certain concessionary travel cards
  • PASS card
  • biometric immigration document
  • defence identity card
  • certain national identity cards
  • veterans card
  • eVisa
  • accepted digital ID
If you don’t have ID (Voter Authority Certificate)

If you do not have accepted photo ID, or your photo ID no longer looks like you, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online.

You can also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate using a paper form and send it to Electoral Services. To request a form or get help applying, email elections@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3717.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Visit the electoral commission website for more information on voter ID.

Polling stations

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

Please be aware that your polling station and ward name may have changed.  We ask you to ensure you check the information on your poll card so that you know where to vote on 7 May 2026.

You can only vote at your designated polling station.

Find your polling station

Polling day

You don’t need your poll card to vote.

If you don’t have your poll card, you can go to the polling station and give them your name and address. You must take your photo ID with you.

If you prefer, you can bring your own pencil or pen.

(student details)

When you arrive:

  1. Show your photo ID to polling station staff
  2. You will be given a ballot paper
  3. Take the ballot paper to a booth and mark your vote
  4. Fold the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box

Don’t write anything else on the ballot paper, or your vote may note be counted.

If you make a mistake, ask staff for a replacement ballot paper before putting it in the ballot box. If you are in a queue at 10pm, you will still be able to vote.

Help and accessibility

If you need help to vote, you can:

  • bring someone with you to help you
  • ask the presiding officer for assistance
  • ask for a large print ballot paper
  • ask for a tactile voting device

Assistance dogs are allowed in polling stations.

Taking photos at the polling station

You shouldn’t take photos inside the polling station as it might put the secrecy of the ballot at risk. You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling station and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

Keeping your vote private

You do not have to tell anyone how you voted. You may be asked by people outside the polling station how you voted. These people are usually conducting exit polls for the news and media. You do not have to answer their questions. Political discussion is not allowed inside or immediately outside the polling station. Staff may ask you to stop if there is a risk of influencing other voters.

People asking for your poll card number (tellers)

You may see people outside the polling station asking for the number on your poll card. These people are known as tellers and volunteer on behalf of candidates or political parties. They use the information to record who has voted and to remind supporters to vote. You do not have to give them any information. If you are concerned about the behaviour of a teller, speak to a member of polling station staff.

Who you can bring to the polling station

You can go to the polling station with someone else, but only voters registered at that station are allowed inside. You must not be accompanied into the polling booth by another adult unless you have a disability. Children are allowed in polling stations. They must not mark the ballot paper for you. Animals are not usually allowed inside polling stations, except for assistance dogs.

Vote by post

If you can’t attend a polling station, you can apply to vote by post.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

You will need to provide:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your date of birth
  • your signature

Postal votes are valid for up to 3 years. You must reapply after this period.

Apply for a postal vote on GOV.UK

You can also apply by post for a postal vote.

Returning your postal vote

Once received, complete your ballot paper and return it as soon as possible.

Use a Royal Mail post box where possible.

You may choose to hand in your postal vote at the council offices during office hours. You will be asked to complete a form when handing it in. Postal votes left without completing a form will be rejected.

Contact electoral services if your postal vote does not arrive.

Security of postal voting

Postal voting is secure. When you apply, you provide your date of birth and signature.

When you return your postal vote, these are checked against your application to confirm your identity. Your ballot paper is separated from your personal details before it is counted, so your vote remains secret.

Vote by proxy

A proxy vote allows someone you trust to vote on your behalf.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Your proxy must vote at your polling station unless they apply to vote by post as your proxy.

Apply as early as possible in case we need further information from you.

Apply for a proxy vote on GOV.UK

You can also apply by post for a proxy vote

Last updated on 24/02/2026