RESIDENTS who want to vote in the European Election, which is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 23, have until midnight on Tuesday, May 7 to register to vote.

Any application made after the deadline will not be accepted.

Any citizen of a European Union country (other than the UK, Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus), can either vote in the UK or in their home country.

To vote in the UK, it is required to:

.Be registered to vote

·Complete a form stating you wish to vote in the UK and not in your home country

European Parliament Voter Registration Forms have been sent to all European electors currently on the Reading Electoral Register.

The quickest and easiest way to register to vote on is online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Any European Citizen can obtain a European Parliament Voter Registration Form from:- https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/how-am-i-represented/european-parliment.

Alternatively, local residents can obtain a paper copy by contacting Reading’s electoral registration office direct on (0118) 937 3717.

Poll Cards will be printed on white card and delivered to registered electors from April 24.

Electors who have a postal vote in place will have a separate Poll Card printed again on white card.

People who want to vote by post in the 2019 European Parliamentary Elections need to be registered under Individual Electoral Registration.

The Electoral Services Team has to receive completed and signed postal vote application forms by 5pm on Wednesday May 8 at the latest.

Anyone who is unsure whether they are registered should contact the Council’s Electoral Services Team by email on elections@reading.gov.uk.

Electors are given notice of change/information affecting the following polling stations for the 2019 European Parliamentary Elections:

  • The Polling Station previously in St George’s Church Hall (now demolished) will again move into St George’s Church (Norcot Ward) which is on the same site and immediately next to the demolished hall
  • Norcot Youth and Community Centre is closed and due to be demolished. The Emergency Planning Vehicle will be based on the same site and used as a temporary Polling Station
  • Southcote Library is now closed and the Polling Station has moved to Southcote Community Hub (Coronation Square)
  • South Reading Youth and Community Centre has now changed its name to South Reading Community Hub
  • Battle Library will be closed for refurbishment, therefore the Polling Station will be at Emmanuel Methodist Church
  • Mapledurham residents can vote in the Caversham Heights Methodist Church Polling Station

Poll cards are being sent to electors with the up-to-date polling stations listed in the above instances, and maps showing electors where to go.

The council will continue to publicise the changes to Polling Stations in the run up to Thursday May 23.

Visit http://www.reading.gov.uk/article/12481/2019-European-Parliamentary-Elections for more information.