By-Elections and Referendums 2025-2026

A vacancy for a councillor has arisen at Datchet Parish Council and there has been a valid request to hold an election to fill this vacancy.

The by-election will take place on Thursday 26 February 2026 if two or more valid candidate nominations are received by the deadline of 4pm on Friday 30 January 2025.

The important dates for this by-election for both candidates and electors are given in the notice of election below.

Notices

• Statement of persons nominated: - to be published after the close of nominations which is 4pm on Friday 30 January 2026.
• Notice of Poll and polling stations: - to be published Wednesday 18 February 2026.
• Declaration of results: - to be published once a declaration of been made.

Register to Vote

If you have recently moved and are not registered to vote then applications must be received by 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 February 2026. These can be submitted via http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 

Alternatively, these can be posted to us, at:

Electoral Services
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Town Hall
St Ives Road
Maidenhead
SL6 1RF

If the application does not reach us on Tuesday 10 February 2026 then you will not be added for the election but will be added, if the application is verified for the next update to the register.

Postal Votes

If you have a postal vote that is due to expire on Saturday 31 January 2026 and you have not completed a valid and verified application by that date then your postal vote will be cancelled.  

You will receive a notification of this.  If you receive a message from us about requiring additional documentary evidence or a better signature then, please ensure you respond to us by return, otherwise your postal vote may not be valid for this election.

If you do not already vote by post or your existing postal vote is cancelled then you will need to complete and return an application, either online or by post, so it reaches the electoral registration officer by 5pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026.

The quickest way to do this is to apply to vote online on the GOV.UK website.  

If you are unable to complete the application online you can download a paper form from that GOV.UK website or you will need to contact our helpline on 01628 683868 or email customer.services@rbwm.gov.uk or electoral.registration@rbwm.gov.uk  for a paper form to be posted out to you.  You may need to return this by hand or use a first class stamp to ensure we receive it on time.

Paper application forms can be posted to us, at:

Electoral Services
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Town Hall
St Ives Road
Maidenhead
SL6 1RF

You should receive your by-election postal vote pack about a week before polling day.

If you have not received it in time, you can get a replacement up to 5pm on polling day and are likely to have to come to the Town Hall in Maidenhead to collect it, depending on when you report to us that you have not received it.

Vote by Proxy

If you cannot go to the polling station and do not wish to vote by post, you may be able to vote by proxy. This means allowing somebody you trust to vote on your behalf.

To vote by proxy you will need to complete and return an application. You can also apply online on the GOV.UK website.

Completed applications for this election must arrive by 5pm on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

When you apply for a proxy vote you must say why you cannot vote in person.  There is a specific paper form for different reasons.

Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are on the Electoral Register, eligible to vote at local elections and are willing to vote on your behalf at your polling station. You do need to tell them how you want to vote.

If you cannot access the Council’s or Governments website, application forms are available via our electoral helpline by calling 01628 683868.