The poll for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner will take place
on Thursday 2nd May and it is the first Island wide election since the Elections Act 2022 came
into force. Amongst the most significant changes are:
- The requirement of photo ID at polling stations
- Limits on the number of postal votes that can be handed in by any individual
These changes will also apply to the forthcoming General Election, whenever it is held.
Photo ID for voting
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.
Voters will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and
not a photocopy.
Registered voters without the required photo can apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’
and the deadline for applications in the Police & Crime Commissioner election is Wednesday
24th April. Full details can be found on the Council’s photographic voter ID page.
New postal vote rules
The Electoral Commission says:
The deadline for applications to vote by post for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police & Crime Commissioner is 5pm on Wednesday 17th April. The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 24th April. Information about voting including links to postal and proxy voting can be found on Isle of Wight Council’s Electoral Registration page.
- Voters will be only able to hand in their own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station.
- Campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives, or someone they provide regular care for.
- All individuals handing in postal votes to local authority offices or polling stations will need to complete a postal vote return form.
Changes to voting by post and proxy
- Voters can now apply online to vote by post and for some types of proxy vote
- Voters need to prove their identity when applying to vote by post and by proxy
- There are changes to how many people someone can act as a proxy for
- Voters need to reapply for a postal vote every three years. Long-term postal votes applied for before 31st October 2023 will now expire on 31st January 2026.
Register to vote
Those on the electoral register should have now received polling cards for the election on Thursday 2nd May. For those who do not received polling cards, the council has a Register to
vote page with relevant information.
The last date to register as an elector for the Police and Crime Commissioner Election is Tuesday 16th April.
What is a Police and Crime Commissioner?
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are still relatively new and this is only the fourth election for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC.
Residents may find this explanation from the Electoral Commission useful.
The Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. It works to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity.
For more information about voting and elections, visit the Electoral Commission website.
