7TH MAY 2026: Isle of Wight Council local election for Ventnor & St Lawrence (7am to 10pm)
Local Elections are being held to vote for the local councillor who will represent the ward of Ventnor & St Lawrence at the Isle of Wight Council.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING ID - It's the law!
If you are registered to vote, you will be sent a polling card with your polling number and polling station details. Voting is easy to do, and it is important to exercise your right to vote. If you are not registered to vote, or have any questions, please read below.
SOME ANSWERS TO QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE...
Who are the candidates?
- A list of candidates will be published by the Isle of Wight Council on 9th April 2026
- The list will not be published on this website
I don't know if I am registered to vote. How do I find out?
- You need to ask the electoral registration office at the Isle of Wight Council by phone or email
- Phone: 01983 823380
- Email: electoral.services@iow.gov.uk
How do I register to vote?
- To register online to vote: [CLICK HERE]
- The register to vote deadline 20th April 2026
- To register by post to vote (paper form): [CLICK HERE]
- The postal vote applicatrion deadline is 21st April 2026
Can I vote without attending the polling station?
- Yes, you can either vote by proxy (when someone you trust votes on your behalf), or you can vote by post.
- This might be because you will be out of the country on election day (on holiday or temporarily overseas)
- In England, anyone over the age of 18 can help you cast your vote. They do not need to be eligible to vote in the election.
How do I vote without attending the polling station?
Can I vote anonymously?
- Yes you can, if you're concerned about your name and address appearing on the electoral register for safety reasons
- To apply online to vote anonymously (paper form): [CLICK HERE]
I have accessibility needs. How do I get help so I can vote?
- Staff at the polling station can help you, or you can bring someone with you
- Alternatively you can ask the electoral registration office at the Isle of Wight Council by phone or email
- Phone: 01983 823380
- Email: electoral.services@iow.gov.uk
I have impaired vision. How do I get help so I can vote?
- Polling stations should have large-print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices to help people with visual impairments.
- You can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. But you must not take any photos inside the polling station.
Do I need my polling card to vote?
- No, you do not need to take the polling card with you but it might speed up the process.
Do I need ID to vote?
- Yes, you MUST take some form of valid Photo ID.
- Without it you will not be allowed to vote. It's the law and not the fault of polling staff.
What ID is accepted in England?
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
- Passport or passport card issued by an EEA state, or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
- Photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector's Document
- Digital Veterans' card
- Digital eVisa
I don't have any of the above forms of Photo ID, what do I do?
- You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This is free of charge.
- To apply online: [CLICK HERE]
- To apply by post: [CLICK HERE]
- The deadline for applications (online or post) is 5pm, 6 working days before polling day
- If you do not wish to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you can apply to vote online instead (see above).
Can I use my own pen or pencil?
- Yes you can, although a writing implement will be provided in each voting booth.
Can I take a selfie?
- No, you are not allowed to take photos inside a polling station because the Electoral Commission - which oversees UK elections - says it risks the secrecy of the ballot.
- The punishment for revealing how someone else voted - even accidentally - is a fine of up to £5,000, or six months in prison.
- People are welcome to take photos outside.
Can I take my child/children to a polling station?
- Bringing children to the polling station is encouraged, to help educate them about democracy.
- However, children are not allowed to mark your vote on the ballot paper.
Can I take pets to a polling station?
- Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations.
- However, other dogs can be admitted at the discretion of the local authority.
Can I tell my social media followers how I voted?
- You can, but voters are advised not to update their social media accounts inside the polling station.
- The rules for postal voting are different, so voters can share photos of their own postal ballot paper on social media if they wish.
Can I wear political clothing?
- The Electoral Commission says there is nothing in law to prevent someone wearing a political slogan when going into a polling station to vote.
- However, they should leave immediately after they have voted, as campaigning inside polling stations is not allowed.
Can I discuss the candidates?
- Political discussion is banned inside polling stations.
- Staff will intervene if they hear any references to candidates or parties.
Can I vote if I've been drinking?
- People who have been drinking or are drunk can vote, unless they are disruptive.
Can I take my mobile phone in with me?
- You can take a phone into a polling station but you must not take photos.
- Polling staff are also within their rights to ask anyone chatting loudly on a phone to leave the building, if they are deemed to be disrupting other voters.
- You are permitted to use your phone to magnify a voting slip if have impaired vision.
Do I have to vote?
- Voting in UK elections is not compulsory. It is entirely up to you whether or not to vote.
Can I spoil my ballot paper?
- Some people deliberately spoil their vote - for example, by writing a message on the ballot paper as a protest.
- These are recorded, but do not count for or against any candidate.
- Also, if you sign your ballot and your name is identifiable, the vote does not count.
Do I have to give my details to 'tellers' outside the polling station?
- Sometimes so-called "tellers" stand outside the polling station and ask voters for the number on their polling card.
- They are volunteers who work for candidates.
- They use the information to check who has voted, so they can remind people who have not yet done so.
- They are allowed to ask for your polling card number, but you do not have to give it to them.
