The poll for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight’s Police & Crime Commissioner will take place on Thursday 2 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 24 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 & Isle of Wight Police & Crime Commissioner is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April. The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. Information about voting including links to postal and proxy voting can be found on Isle of Wight Council’s Electoral Registration page
REGISTER TO VOTE
Those on the electoral register should have now received polling cards for the election on Thursday 2 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 & Crime Commissioner Election is Tuesday 16 April.
WHAT IS A POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER?
Police & Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are still relatively new and this is only the fourth election for the Hampshire & 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.
Claire Shand, Returning Officer
Isle of Wight Council