The May 6 election explained for Isle of Wight voters

There are two ways to vote:

At a polling station

It will be open on voting day and a polling card is sent to you with the address on it.  You need to be registered, but you do not need to take your polling card with you. 

By post 

You need to apply in advance and return your ballot paper by a deadline.

Want to apply for postal voting?

• Emailing electoral.services@iow.gov.uk
• Calling 823380

Completed and signed forms should be returned to Electoral Services, County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD.

• CLICK HERE: How to apply for your postal vote for this year's local elections

Who is in charge?

The Isle of Wight Council's electoral team oversees elections.

• Find out more HERE

What will we be voting for on May 6?

Isle of Wight Council

County Hall, Newport

Islanders will vote for someone to represent them in meetings at the home of the Isle of Wight Council, at County Hall in Newport.

This year there will be a change in boundaries, which might mean your home will fall into a different ward than before.

In total, 30 wards across the Isle of Wight will see changes.

From May, there will be one fewer councillor as a result of the shake-up, which means 39 councillors will be elected.

At the moment there are 40 and you can find yours HERE.

The idea of the boundary changes is to make the number of voters in each ward more even - around 3,000 by 2024.

• Read more about what it means for you.
• Will your ward boundary change? Isle of Wight Council areas reviewed

Police and Crime Commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) oversee how local police forces are meeting the needs of the community.

In the Isle of Wight's case, that's Hampshire Constabulary and the PCC covers Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Read more HERE

The PCC makes budget recommendations and gives out grants to crime-cutting projects, among other tasks.

There are 41 areas across England and Wales with a PCC.

The Isle of Wight was supposed to vote in May 2020, but the election was postponed due to Covid-19.

The last time we voted on this role was May 2016.

Town and Parish Councils

These local councils represent an individual town, or small area.

Your home will fall into a single ward.

A town or parish council is made up of local councillors representing these smaller wards.

They make decisions and recommendations about some local planning issues and other things, like local public toilets and community events.

Some ward councillors will be elected on May 6.