Info for Voters

Picture credit: Manx Radio

Information for Voters

When is the General Election?

The General Election is on Thursday 24 September 2026.

 

How often do we have a General Election?

Every five years.

 

Who are we voting for?

24 members of the House of Keys.

Each constituency elects two Members of the House of Keys or MHKs.

There are 24 MHKs across 12 constituencies.

 

How do I know who to vote for?

Typically, candidates will try and see as many voters in their constituency ahead of the General Election as they can.  They may also send you a copy of their manifesto outlining their main priorities.

In addition, Manx Radio is inviting all candidates to take part in individual interviews.

In September, Manx Radio will be holding Constituency Debate programmes for each of the 12 constituencies, and every candidate in each area will be invited to take part.

Government will also also holding a number of pre-election meetings, giving you the chance to question candidates, the details of which will be announced in due course.

 

Why should I vote?

Voting is a democratic right offered to people over the age of 16 in the Isle of Man.

The people we vote into the House of Keys make decisions which affect our daily lives, so by choosing to vote you can have a say in the future of the Isle of Man.

Members of the House of Keys, or MHKs, make policy, pass laws and regulations and debate matters of national importance. They decide how public money is spent, money that comes from you through taxation.

If candidates are standing for re-election, it’s a chance for you to hold them to account for how they’ve performed since they were elected.

The General Election is a chance for you to have a say about issues that matter to you.

Here's a government video about why younger voters should head to the polls:

 

 

Who can vote?

You can vote in the Isle of Man’s General Election if you have reached the age of 16 and have lived in the Isle of Man for the past 12 months and are not subject to any legal incapacity to vote.

You can still vote if you’re away at university as long as you are registered at your Manx address.

 

Can I vote for the Chief Minister?

Not directly no. That decision is made by the House of Keys after the General Election. The Chief Minister will hold office until the next General Election. They may be removed from office by the House of Keys on a vote of no confidence.

Once the Chief Minister has been elected by the House of Keys, they will appoint ministers for each department including Health, Education and Treasury.  For more information about government departments click here.

There have been moves to force those intending to stand for Chief Minister to declare their intention before the General Election, but these have not been successful.

 

How do I make sure I can vote in the General Election?

You must be registered to vote. You can check if you’re registered by looking at the full electoral registers at any of these places:

Local Authority offices

• General Registry (IOM Courts of Justice, Deemsters' Walk, Douglas)
• Crown and Elections Unit (Cabinet Office, 3rd Floor, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas)
• Tynwald Library (Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas)

For more information about the electoral register visit this web page (Isle of Man Government - Register to Vote) or email elections@gov.im

You can also apply for a postal vote or apply to appoint a proxy which means someone else will vote on your behalf.

 

What happens on polling day?

On polling day, Thursday 24 September, if you are voting in person, you go to your designated polling station which will be detailed on your polling card which will be sent to you by post in the week before the election. 

It’s a good idea to take your polling card along to your polling station when you go to vote.

You can find out exactly where your polling station is by putting your postcode in here

You can find a full list of the polling stations for each constituency here.

The polls are open from 8am until 8pm.

 

How many people do I vote for?

All constituencies in the Isle of Man are two seat constituencies. This means each constituency will return the two candidates who get the most votes.

When you cast your vote, you are able to vote for your two preferred candidates.  You don’t have to vote for two candidates: you might only want to choose one.

Voting for more than two will mean your ballot paper is invalid and will be counted as a spoilt paper.

 

How many constituencies are there?

There are 12 two seat constituencies in the Isle of Man making up the 24 seats of the House of Keys.

 

Where’s my constituency?

You can use this handy tool to find out which constituency you’re in just by entering your postcode.

Isle of Man Government - Maps

 

How do I find out the election result?

Manx Radio will be broadcasting live from each count as the results are declared on Thursday 24th.

There will also be comprehensive coverage online and on our social media channels.

 

For things to consider about voting click here

For general guidance about voting click here

For guidance for young voters click here