Heading to the polls this Thursday to cast your vote in the 2024 General Election? Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote, where to vote and who for…
Who is standing?
A total of 12 candidates are standing in the General Election on the Isle of Wight; 6 for Isle of Wight East and 6 for Isle of Wight West. Island Echo has compiled a list of all the candidates, accompanied by a short profile piece, at https://isleofwight.vote/general-election-candidates/.
What are the new boundaries and which one am I in?
The 2024 General Election is the first to be held since the Isle of Wight was split into 2 new constituencies; Isle of Wight East and Isle of Wight West. It means that 2 MPs will represent the Island in Parliament to fight on behalf of Islanders. You can find out more here. 
Where do I go to vote?
You should have already received a poll card through the post which details where you need to go. These are often places such as church halls, community centres, football clubs and fire stations. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 – 22:00. A full list of stations and their addresses can be found here.
What do I need to take with me?
All you need is a valid form of photo ID. You do not need to take any paper or a pen as both will be provided. Upon arrival you will be asked to give your name and address so that staff can find you on the electoral register. Whilst you don’t have to take your polling card with you, many people choose to so that polling station staff can find them quicker. What will be on the ballot paper? On your ballot paper will be the list of 6 local candidates. You must mark only 1 candidate with an X. Adding any more marks to your ballot paper will spoil your vote. After you have filled out the ballot paper a member of staff will ask you to fold the paper in half and place it into a ballot box.
What if I need some help?
If you become stuck at any point in the process, just ask the staff at the polling station. They will be happy to assist you. If you want to, you can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. When using your phone, don’t take any photos inside the polling station, as you might accidentally reveal how someone has voted. You can also ask polling station staff to help you, or you can bring anyone 18 or over with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election.
When can we expect the result?
Once all the polling stations are closed, ballot papers will make their way to Medina Leisure Centre in Newport where the count will begin. It is anticipated – as is usually the case – that the result should be announced between 03:00 – 05:00 on Friday (5th July) providing there are no administrative issues and that a re-count isn’t needed. As this is the first election to be held with 2 constituencies, the process may be different to previous years – although it is expected one result will be followed shortly by the other. Island Echo will be live from the count throughout the night until both declarations are made, providing you with all the latest news as it happens.
Find out who your local councillor is, how and where to vote and the results of previous elections at www.isleofwight.vote - the Island's new hub for all things related to Local and General Elections, brought to you by Island Echo.
Don’t be disillusioned..vote REFORM.
Or not! They’re terrible and will do nothing good for you.
A lot of people on the island are dependent on state pensions and benefits for various valid reasons. Reform plan to take away your benefits. The only party that will protect your pensions and benefits is Labour because they care about people. Vote Labour for a better future.
no, they will tax your pension, don’t buy in to the doin! vote Labour = pay more tax! FACT!
Mhmm, I was conflicted over whether to vote for Reform (Sarah Morris) or Labour (Emily Brothers), then I realised that he was sent down recently, after standing as a candidate in other areas.
Nothing to do with the future of the country or what you might get from a new government. No, you won’t vote Labour because the candidate was not born on the island. Glad you clarified that for us you utter moron.
correct…. caulkheads only….vote Sarah!
ALL you need to know is to vote for Reform.
See the reason why we now need food banks, why rents and house prices are so expensive, why we have to wait so long for doctors, hospitals and dentists, why rape, stabbings, shootings, mugging, acid attacks have risen. Why drug dealing is rife, why se x slavery is in the UK, why genital mutilation happens in this country now, why our taxes are so high funding so many more people. Why our jails can no longer take anyone but the very worst, so crime is growing as our prisons are full of the third worlds past rejects and now their clones as well as our own rubbish.
THINK illegals arrive faster than we can ever house them, and they have large families, we need to VOTE REFORM
And think about all of the immigrants who just want to relocate their customs and cultural values rather than join us.
Now that the allegations against the Reform candidates have been proven to have been set up by a Ch4 crew, then please vote for Reform, for they are the only party who have the drive to curb immigration to allow in only those who we need and are suitable.
I mistakenly thought that they were too right wing, but having read endless articles I see they are trying to do their best for this country, and we should all be supporting that end.
Even immigrants already here need to vote for them too, as they are equally as ill effected as the indigenous people.
A never ending number of anyone arriving here, no matter how nice will destroy our standard of living, and ruin this country forever, as time will make it all worse. Vote Reform
Once again. The famous qwerty name is used in vain to try to promote a racist and homophobic party. Even their own candidates are leaving or getting kicked out. Not really the kind of people you would want to vote for…..so don’t vote Deform.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 News said:
“We strongly stand by our rigorous and duly impartial journalism which speaks for itself.
“We did not pay the Reform UK canvasser or anyone else in this report. Mr Parker was not known to Channel 4 News and was filmed covertly via the undercover operation.”
must be right then it’s from a left wing spin channel! give me strength!
Make your vote count
Vote Conservative.
Deform are the party that the uneducated Numpty’s will be voting for.
Bring back Liz Truss because that worked out well for the country didn’t it?!
That was a mistake, never send a woman to do a mans job.
Obviously, you will be voting Reform because you are a misogynist. Reform is the party for racists, homophobes, misogynists, and all other bigots. If all of you were in a room together, you would soon find a reason to hate each other because you are just hate-filled nasty people.
can we see your evidence for these allegations?
I’m voting Reform after being a solid Conservative voter for decades. Not because I’m a misogynist or a racist, not because I’m any of the things you say actually. In terms of people from other countries coming to my country, they are more than welcome. They need to understand my culture and recognise that it comes before any culture they bring with them. I will very much enjoy learning about their culture and integrating that into my own if it is beneficial. If they don’t want to integrate and want to bring and impose their culture and cultural values upon me, I will reject them. You see, I’m English. I was born here and I love my country. It’s not racism, it’s just expecting people to have respect. Voting Reform is a statement.
Will any of the Numpty’s sort out the appalling Ferry services
and Extortionate Ferry Fares us Islanders have to pay.
I doubt it!
as it goes its part of the Reform policy for the Island, I read it on Sarah Morris’s leaflet…they are they only ones trying to help Islanders and the ferries.
Independent is the way to go
Mr Grocock, he will care for the people of the island
He gets my vote.
I’m a floating non-voter. Can’t decide to draw a rick picture on my voting slip or just sit on my fat arse. Don’t they know I have benefit money to spend on porn, drugs and mobile phones. How inconsiderate.
you’re a floater alright! lol
I hope the pens are sanitized after each person?
after all the covid rules that we got stuffed on to us
Vote Labour, it’s the peoples only hope.