Three candiates have been named in the upcoming by-election for the Isle of Wight council seat for the Ventnor and St Lawrence ward.
As already reported, local fisherman Ed Blake will be standing as a Conservative candidate, Ventnor’s current mayor Steve Cooper as the Labour candidate, and now Ray Harrington-Vail has been confirmed as the Liberal Democrat candidate.
Ray Harrington-Vail was founder of the Footprint Trust and its General Manager before retiring earlier this year after 21 years at the helm of the organisation.
The by-election takes place on Thursday 21st December, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.
The Isle of Wight council share this important information below for those in the ward.
Don’t forget your photo ID
Registered voters will need photo ID to vote at this election following new legislation introduced earlier this year.
Voters may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable, including the following:
- Passport.
- Driving licence (including provisional licence).
- Blue badge.
- Certain concessionary travel cards (such as an Older Person’s Bus Pass or an Oyster 60+ card).
- Identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark.
- Biometric Immigration document.
- Defence identity card.
- Certain national identity cards.
Those without photographic ID, can apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ and the deadline for applications in this election is December 13. Full details can be found on the Council’s photographic voter ID page.
Claire Shand, Returning Officer, said:
“In order to vote in person, people will need to be registered to vote and to bring appropriate photographic identification with them on the day.
“The need for photo ID is new and we want to make sure that people are aware of the change and prepared, so that the process of voting in this by-election is as easy as possible.”
Register to vote
The last date to register as an elector is Tuesday 5th December 2023. Details here: Register to vote
The last date to register as a Postal Voter is Wednesday 6th December 2023. Details on the Council’s Postal votes webpage.
The last date to register for a Proxy Vote is 5pm on Wednesday 13th December 2023, and this can be done via the Council’s Proxy votes page.
