Key dates for May’s local elections on the Isle of Wight have been revealed as behind-the-scenes preparations get underway.
Polling stations across the Island’s electoral map are being booked and arrangements for on-the-ground personnel to staff them are taking place, a council spokesperson has confirmed ahead of the 7th May 2026 local elections.
The landmark poll will come five years after Islanders last had their say in Isle of Wight Council elections in May 2021, a month which saw the previous Conservative administration lose their majority and the Alliance group take power.
IWC: In the process of booking polling stations
County Hall said in a statement,
“Isle of Wight Council is in the process of booking polling stations for each of the electoral divisions in readiness for the election on 7th May.
“Arrangements for staffing polling stations and all other administrative arrangements are also taking place. We would remind people who have had postal votes is that due to a change in the law, they need to reapply for them by the end of this month if they originally had them before January 2024.”
Timetable of events
The local authority has published a timetable of proceedings ahead of the election.
- Publication of Notice of Election: Monday, 30th March 2026
- Receipt of Nominations: 4pm Thursday, 9th April
- Withdrawal of Candidate: 4pm Thursday, 9th April
- Appointment of Election Agents: 4pm Thursday, 9th April
- Publication of Notice of Election Agents: 4pm Thursday, 9th April
- Publication of Statements of Persons Nominated: 4pm Friday, 10th April
- Last Date for Registration: Monday, 20th April
- Receipt of Postal Vote Applications: 5pm Tuesday, 21st April
- Last day for Voter Authority Certificates: 5pm Tuesday, 28th April
- Publication of Notice of Poll: Tuesday, 28th April
- Receipt of Proxy Vote Applications: 5pm Tuesday, 28th April
- Appointment of Poll and Count Agents: Wednesday, 29th April
- First Day to Issue Replacement Lost Postal Ballot Papers: Thursday, 30th April
- Last Day to Issue Replacement Spoilt or Lost Postal Ballot Papers: 5pm Thursday, 7th May Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications: 5pm Thursday, 7th May
- Day of Poll 7am to 10pm Thursday, 7th May
- Election Count will take place on Friday 8th May
- Return of Election Expenses Thursday, 11th June
Article edit
11.50am 28th Jan 2026 – Date for count added
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
