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Reading local election

Caversham ward

This election will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.

  • This is an election for unitary councillors.

    Councillors represent the people of their ward on the council. Councillors are elected for four-year terms, and most wards are represented by more than one councillor. This council elects one-third of its councillors each year, which is why you may only have one vote.

    Unitary councils are responsible for many different services, including:

    • Child and adult social care
    • Schools and education
    • Rubbish collection and recycling
    • Housing and planning
    • Libraries and museums
    • Roads and pavements
    • Sports facilities and public parks

    Councils are funded by a combination of council tax, business rates, and grants from the UK government. Councillors are not paid a salary, but they do receive financial compensation and expenses to cover their time and travel commitments.

    Learn more about English local government from New Local.

You will have one vote, and can choose from six candidates.

Get ready to vote:

  • How to vote

    This election uses First-past-the-post.

    Mark an X in the box for your preferred candidate.

    You can mark up to one candidate.

    Read the instructions at the top of your ballot paper carefully.

    For more information, visit The Electoral Commission's website or ask an official at your polling station.

  •

    Your polling station is:

    New Bridge Nursery School
    Montague Street
    Caversham
    Reading

    It will be open from 7a.m. to 10p.m. on Thursday 7 May 2026

    You don't need to take your poll card with you.

    If you have a postal vote, you can hand it in at this polling station on election day up to 10pm. When handing in postal votes, you will need to complete a form, giving your name, address, how many postal votes you are handing in, and why you are handing in those postal votes.

    Read more about how to vote.

  • You will need to take photo ID to vote at a polling station in this election

    You do not need your poll card to vote. You must vote at your assigned polling station.

    If you do not have a photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before 28 April 2026

  • Register to vote

    You need to be registered in order to vote. If you aren't registered to vote visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

    Register before midnight on 20 April 2026 to vote on 7 May 2026.

    Send your postal and proxy vote applications to your local electoral registration team. You can also contact them to find out if you’re on the electoral register, and if you already have a postal or proxy vote.

    Reading Borough Council Electoral Registration Officer
    Bridge Street
    Civic Offices
    RG1 2LU
    http://www.reading.gov.uk/
    elections@reading.gov.uk

  • Voting by post

    If you know that you won't be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post. You have until 21 April 2026 to Apply for a postal vote.

    Read more about applying for a postal vote.

    If you have a postal vote

    • If you already have a postal vote or successfully apply by 23 March 2026, your pack will be sent from 20 April 2026.
    • If you apply after 23 March 2026 up to 5pm on 21 April 2026, your pack will be sent from 27 April 2026.

    If you have not received your postal voting pack, you can contact Reading Borough Council on 0118 937 3717.

    Reading Borough Council
    http://www.reading.gov.uk/
    elections@reading.gov.uk

    Replacement packs can only be issued from 30 April 2026 until 5pm on 7 May 2026.

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