Thousands risk losing chance to vote by post

Residents must re-apply by 31 January to vote by post in the next local elections

More than 9,000 postal voters have not reapplied to vote by post at next year's local elections and risk missing out, a local authority has said.

Reading Borough Council said half of its existing postal voters have not reapplied to vote by post again.

Changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022 mean residents who wish to vote by post are required to reapply every three years.

The council warned that residents needed to apply by 31 January 2026 or they would not be able to submit a postal vote in next year's local elections.

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."