With the General Election now just a month away, voters are being urged to make sure they are registered before the deadline - but what happens if you are in prison, living in a care home, seriously ill or disabled?

The short answer is that, in most cases, being unable to get to a polling station does not mean you lose your right to vote.

The House of Keys election takes place on Thursday, September 24, with polling stations open from 8am to 8pm.

Anyone who is aged 16 or over, has had their usual place of abode in the Island for the preceding 12 months and is not subject to a legal incapacity to vote can register.

For those who want to vote in this year’s election, the registration deadline is tomorrow (Tuesday, August 25).

Once registered, there are three ways to cast a vote: in person, by post or by appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf.

What if you live in a care home?

Residents at a nursing home are among those who can still exercise their right to vote in September’s General Election, with postal and proxy voting available to those unable to attend a polling station
Residents at a nursing home are among those who can still exercise their right to vote in September’s General Election, with postal and proxy voting available to those unable to attend a polling station (Media Isle of Man)

There is no separate voting ban for people living in residential care home.

A resident who is registered can vote in person if they are able to get to their polling station, or apply for a postal vote if they cannot. They may also apply for a proxy in appropriate circumstances.

The same principle applies to people who are seriously ill or otherwise unable to attend a polling station.

For the 2026 election, the deadline for voters based in the Isle of Man to apply for a postal vote is September 16.

Postal ballot packs must be returned by 5pm on September 23, although they can, if necessary, be hand-delivered to a polling station in the voter’s constituency on polling day.

Proxy voting is intended for situations where a person cannot vote in person or by post.

Valid reasons for a proxy vote include a medical emergency or urgent, required business travel overseas.

However, proxy votes aren’t a guarantee, and applications are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Electoral Registration Officer.

The deadline for proxy applications is 5pm on September 23.

And disabled voters?

Being disabled does not mean being excluded from the democratic process, with support available at polling stations and postal or proxy voting options for those unable to attend in person
Being disabled does not mean being excluded from the democratic process, with support available at polling stations and postal or proxy voting options for those unable to attend in person (-)

Disability does not prevent someone from voting.

The Isle of Man Government says voting should be accessible to everyone and that support and assistance will be available at polling stations.

Registered electors can also choose a postal or proxy vote if attending a polling station is not practical.

What about prisoners?

View of the Isle of Man Prison, Jurby
Prisoners on the Isle of Man retain the right to vote, with those behind bars able to cast their ballot by post in elections. (Media Isle of Man )

This is where the Isle of Man differs markedly from the UK.

Prisoners in the Isle of Man retain the right to vote. Election observation reports have confirmed that prisoners can apply for a postal ballot, while historical arrangements have allowed prisoners to vote by post from prison.

Across the water, the position is very different.

A prisoner serving a sentence following conviction cannot vote in a UK Parliamentary election, although people on remand who have not been convicted retain the right to vote.

Eligible prisoners in elections where they are entitled to vote generally do so by post or proxy rather than at a polling station.