Unlike the General Election, local elections happen at different times for different councils in the UK. We know that this can make it confusing to know when you can next vote, especially with so many councils across the RG Postcode area, so we’ve put together this blog to help you out!
We know being able to make your vote and have your voice heard is important to many young people, so we wanted to support you in making an informed decision by letting you know in advance when you can next vote to give you enough time.
When is my next local election?
If you’re not sure which Local Authority area you live in you can check it here with just your home postcode: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Reading Borough Council
Next election: 2026
Why: They hold elections by thirds so have elections every year expect in years when there are County Council year
West Berkshire Council
Next Election: 2027
Why: They hold elections for the whole council every 4 years
Wokingham Borough Council
Next election: 2026
Why: They hold elections by thirds so have elections every year expect in years when there are County Council year
Bracknell Forest Council
Next Election: 2027
Why: They hold elections for the whole council every 4 years
South Oxfordshire Council
Next Election: 2027
Why: They hold elections for the whole council every 4 years
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Next election: 2026
Why: They hold elections by thirds so have elections every year expect in years when there are County Council year
Buckinghamshire Council
Next election: 2029
Why: They hold elections for the whole council every 4 years
Wiltshire Council
Next election: 2029 – note there will be a small election in 2026 for Calne Town Council
Why: they hold elections for the whole council every 4 years
What can I do before my local election?
No matter if you have a local election this year or not, there are still things you can do now to be prepared.
There are also ways you can get involved in local politics and community influencing!
Register to vote
Did you know you can register to vote from your 16th birthday, even if it’s not an election year?
Whilst this might seem pointless at first, especially as you can’t yet vote, it does actually have an impact on both you and the area you live in!
- Improves your credit score – One of the first ways that being registered to vote can help you is that it can improve your credit score. We know that this may not yet be something you are thinking about, but this can be helpful when you come to applying for things such as mortgages, loans and credit cards.
- Less Paperwork on Applications – Registering to vote also means that companies can verify your identity against the Electoral Register. This means you can fill in less paperwork on applications for things such as rent, passports/driving licenses and insurance.
- Adds you to the list for Jury Duty -You will also be added to the list for jury duty once you are registered to vote. Whilst this might not seem like it could have a big influence, it means there will be more people like you from your community represented on jurys.
- Supports the provision of more resources in your community – Resources for local areas tend to be decided by the number of people on the Electoral Register (the number of people registered to vote in your local area) rather than the latest census. This means that if only 50% of your local population are registered to vote, then there will only be enough resources, such as libraries, schools and leisure facilities, for that 50% – meaning that there isn’t enough to go around for everyone who lives there.
So, by registering to vote, you are helping paint an accurate picture of how many people there are living in your area!
Click here to register to vote!
Check if you have an approved Voter ID
Did you know you need to have a photo ID to be able to vote?
You can check if you have an accepted Voter ID here: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need
If you don’t have a photo ID that is accepted, you can register for a free Voter Authority Certificate here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
Join your local Youth Council
A great way you can have your voice heard and influence your local area is by joining your local youth council.
Youth councils help bring attention to issues to matter to young people, take part in social action, and provide opportunities for you to have your voice heard on strategies and decisions made by your local authority.
Click the name of your local youth council to find out more:
- Reading Youth Council
- Wokingham Youth Council
- Bracknell Forest Youth Voice
- Basingstoke Youth Voice Forum
- West Berkshire does not currently have any public information about their Youth Council
If you want to have a wider influence than just your local area, you can get involved at a national level with the UK Youth Parliament.
Find out more about how you can get involved with the UK Youth Parliament here.
Other ways to have your voice heard (all ages)
Young Voices
If you are a few years away from being able to vote or your Youth Council is currently full, there is still an opportunity for you to have your voice and experiences heard by local decision makers.
Young Voices is a group of young people from across Reading who come together to discuss and share issues that matter to them. They also work with decision makers across Reading to help the voices and experiences of young people to be heard and influence the decisions they make. As a young person taking part in Young Voices, you can count your volunteering time and skills towards your DofE award and will also be awarded AQA Unit Award Certificates!
Don’t worry if are unable to commit to being a part of the regular Young Voices forum – you can share your voice in their Annual Safety Survey or at other opportunities.
Find out more about Young Voices here!
Thames Valley Police – Have Your Say Events
Thames Valley Police regularly host ‘Have You Say’ events where you can share your concerns, experiences and questions with your local community police officers.
You can find your upcoming event by entering your postcode here and then choosing ‘meetings and events’ button.
