With less than one week to go until the deadline to register to vote in local elections, the Isle of Wight Council is urging residents to make sure they are registered in time.
On Thursday 6th May voters in the Isle of Wight will go to the polls for the Isle of Wight Council, some parish and town council, and Police and Crime Commissioner local elections. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 19th April.
It comes as isleofwight.vote – the Island’s new one-stop-shop for all things elections, brought to you by Island Echo – has launched. At isleofwight.vote, you can find everything you need to know to make an informed choice on election day, including details on candidates, parties, and must-know information about the elections themselves.
A common misconception is that if you pay council tax, you will be automatically registered. This is not the case – you are not automatically registered to vote. The only way you can make sure you have your say in elections is to register on the Electoral Register. Once registered, you do not have to re-register, unless you move, in which case you need to update your details.
Anyone not registered to vote at their current address or wishing to update with their address can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you have already received a Poll Card with your correct details on it, then you are already registered and you do not need to do anything else.
The Isle of Wight Council electoral registration officer, Claire Shand, said:
“With only one week to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the elections on Thursday 6 May. But if you’re not registered by 19 April, you won’t be able to vote. Registering to vote is simple to do online and takes just five minutes.
“If you are unable to register online, you can register over the telephone or request a voter registration form be sent to you by contacting electoral services on (01983) 823380 but time is short for us to post it to you, and for you to post it back so that it reaches us by the deadline.”
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If your circumstances change, for example, you move home between now and the registration deadline on 19th April, you will need to re-register at your new property.
Claire Shand is keen to reassure those voting in person:
“We’re working hard to make sure polling stations are safe places to vote at, with all the covid safety measures we are used to seeing with hands sanitisers available, mask wearing and social distancing in place. But if you’d rather not visit your polling station, postal voting or asking someone to vote – proxy – on your behalf, is available too.”
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 www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote.
You will need to return your postal vote application, if applying to vote by post for the first time, by 17:00 on Tuesday 20 April.
If you would like to cancel your postal vote and vote in person instead, please 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.
The Council must receive your cancellation in writing or via email by 17:00pm on Tuesday 20 April. For further information about the elections, please visit: www.iow.gov.uk/council/elections
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.
Your vote has never been more important. This is your last chance for 4 years to influence who runs your council.
Every vote matters! Don’t waste it.