This page gives all the information you need on registering to vote, the necessary ID needed, and the option available on how to vote in the General Election on 4th July.
To vote in a general election you must:
You need to register to vote in UK elections and referendums. THE DEADLINE TO DO THIS IS 18TH JUNE. You will need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality since the last election. You can register online or by completing a paper form and posting it to.your Electrical Registration Office which, for the Island is:
Isle of Wight Council
Electoral Services
County Hall
Newport
PO30 1UD
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/who-can-vote/register-vote
Your name and address will be on the electoral register if you register to vote. If you think your name and address being on the electoral register could affect your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, you can register to vote anonymously. Complete the form (link below), and post it to the Electoral Services address shown above.
Get in touch with your local electoral registration team if you’re not sure. They can tell you if you’re on the electoral register, or whether you’ve already registered for a postal or proxy vote.
Isle of Wight Council
Electoral Services
County Hall
Newport
PO30 1UD
01983 823380
Email: electoral.services@iow.gov.uk
Everyone now has to show photo ID to be able to vote in person at any election. You might already have the right ID, so check the link below. If you don’t, then obtaining ID is simple. Or apply vote by post instead, which does not require ID.
Accepted forms of ID: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
It is FREE to apply for voter ID (called a Voter Authority Certificate). You only need to apply if:
If you would prefer not to show ID at a polling station, you can apply to vote by post or to vote by proxy. See above. Photo ID isn’t required to apply or vote by post or proxy. However, the person who is your proxy will need to show their photo ID at the polling station.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19th June.
You will receive a poll card in the post prior to the election. This will state the address of your local polling station - usually a public building like a school or a village hall. Voting day is Thursday 4th July 2024, and your polling station will open at 7am and close at 10pm. Show your ID when you arrive, and you will be given a voting slip.
Walk to an empty voting booth in the room, and mark an X in the box next to your chosen candidate. Do not write anything else, or mark outside the boxes, as your vote will then not be valid.
If you haven’t received your polling card, contact Isle of Wight Electoral Services: 01983 823380.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/voting-person
If you cannot or do not wish to vote in person, then you can apply for a postal vote. You are not required to give a reason. Anyone can choose to vote by post. This is also an alternative to in-person voting if you do not have Voter ID.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post
If you cannot go the polling station in person, and you do not want a postal vote, then you can appoint a proxy to cast your vote for you.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/apply-vote-proxy
Due to boundary changes, the Island will elect two MPs at the next General Election. One for East Wight and one for West Wight. Which new constituency do you live in? Type in your postcode in the link below to find out.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information
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