FAQs

Only if you have not received a poll card, in which case you need to make sure you have registered before the voter registration deadline of Friday 20th April. Registering can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you have received a poll card you will be eligible to vote at the General Election and will be able to cast your vote. You do not need to re-register.

If your circumstances change, for example you move home between now and the registration deadline, you will need to re-register at your new property.

If you need to check that you are on the Register of Electors then call Isle of Wight Council on 01983 823380 or email [email protected]. You will need to quote your full name and address.

You can request a voter registration form be sent to you by contacting electoral services on 01983 823380. You must make sure you return the form before the registration deadline of 11th April to County Hall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1UD.

Registered, eligible citizens in England, Wales and Scotland over 18 who are resident in the UK, and whose name appears on the Register of Electors.

In person – Your poll card will tell you when voting takes place and where you should go to vote on Thursday 7th May 2026. A full list of polling stations can be found here.

On poll day, when you go to your polling station, you will be given a piece of paper with the names of the different candidates for your local ward area on it. You then go to a booth and put an X in the box which reflects your choice and put the paper into a ballot box.

By post – If you are already registered as a postal voter then you will receive your vote through the post. If you cannot or do not wish to attend your local polling station, you can still vote by post by filling out the application form available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote. You will need to apply by 17:00 on 21st April to vote by post in the local elections.

If you would like to cancel your postal vote and vote in person instead, email the council’s electoral services at [email protected], stating that you wish to cancel your postal vote and giving your full name and address. You can also cancel your postal vote by writing, giving your full name and address, to Electoral Services, Isle of Wight Council, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD.

By proxy – If you are unable to vote in person or by post, you can choose to have someone you trust cast your vote for you. The person you choose can only act as proxy if they are 18 and are registered individually themselves. A person cannot vote as a proxy for more than 2 people at any 1 election or referendum, unless they are a close relative.

In England, Scotland or Wales, you will need to download and complete a form to apply to vote by proxy. There are different forms depending on the reason that you need a proxy vote, at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/proxy-voting-application-forms.  If you want to vote by proxy in the local elections, you will need to apply by 17:00 on 28th April.

By emergency proxy – If, after 17:00 on 28th April, you find you are unable to attend your polling station in person due to a medical emergency or due to your occupation, service or employment then you may be able to appoint an emergency proxy to vote on your behalf.

Contact the electoral services team by email on [email protected]; in writing to Electoral Services, Isle of Wight Council, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD or call 01983 823380.

The card tells you when voting takes place and where you should go to vote on 4th July 2024. If you do not receive a poll card, it may be that your local ward has decided not to issue poll cards. It may also mean that you are not registered to vote –  check this with the electoral services team by calling 01983 823380.

If you lose your poll card, don’t worry – you don’t need to bring it with you to vote. Simply go to your local polling station but don’t forget your photo ID – a requirement for all voters. If you don’t know where that is, check out the polling stations page.

Island Echo is remaining impartial throughout the election campaigning period. All parties are welcome to submit news and information to be included in our news coverage. Here on isleofwight.vote, all information is presently equally and, generally, in alphabetical order.