Ballot papers for Wight BID 3 are now being sent to eligible businesses across the Isle of Wight. If your business is eligible to vote, please look out for your ballot paper arriving by post and make sure you have your say.
The ballot is an important opportunity for eligible businesses to decide whether the Isle of Wight Business Improvement District (Wight BID) should continue for a new five-year term.
If approved, Wight BID 3 will continue to support the Island’s visitor economy through marketing, partnerships, representation and commercial growth, with the proposed priorities set out in the Wight BID 3 Business Plan 2026–2031 – Shaping the Future of the Isle of Wight Visitor Economy.
Look out for your ballot paper
Ballot papers are being dispatched from Thursday 1 October 2026 by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services (CES).
If you are an eligible voter, please look out for your ballot paper arriving by post, read the information provided and consider the proposals set out in the Wight BID 3 Business Plan.
Once you have completed your ballot paper, return it using the enclosed pre-paid envelope. Your ballot paper must be received by Civica Election Services by 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026 to be counted.
Please return your ballot paper as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for postal delivery.
Key ballot dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thursday 1 October 2026 | Ballot papers are sent to eligible voters. |
| Monday 19 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline to apply to appoint a proxy. |
| Friday 23 October 2026 | Deadline for replacement ballot papers. |
| Saturday 24 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline to cancel a proxy appointment. |
| Thursday 29 October 2026, 5pm | Deadline for ballot papers to be received by Civica Election Services. |
| Friday 30 October 2026 | Ballot papers counted and result announced shortly after. |
Who can vote?
Eligible voters are the non-domestic ratepayers listed on the Isle of Wight Council’s database for each business premises within the proposed BID area.
Each person entitled to vote has one vote for each eligible business premises they occupy or, if unoccupied, own within the proposed BID area.
If you are unsure whether your business is eligible to vote, or have questions about the ballot process, please contact Civica Election Services, using the contact details provided with your ballot information.
What if my ballot paper hasn’t arrived?
If you have not received your ballot paper in the week following Thursday 1 October, you should apply to Civica Election Services for a replacement.
CES can provide a replacement request form to help with the process. To request a form, email bids.UK@civica.com.
You may apply for a replacement ballot paper by supplying one of the following:
- An email sent from a business account, including a company email signature; or
- A hard-copy letter together with the appropriate evidence of identity; or
- A scan of both the letter and evidence of identity attached to an email.
Email requests should be sent to bids.UK@civica.com.
Hard-copy requests should be addressed to:
The Independent Scrutineer
Civica Election Services
The Election Centre
33 Clarendon Road
London
N8 0NW
Hard-copy requests must be signed by the eligible voter and include evidence of identity in the form of one of the following:
- A signed letterhead for the appropriate company;
- A signed photocopy of the National Non-Domestic Rating Bill for the hereditament; or
- A signed photocopy of personal identification, such as a passport or driving licence.
Please do not send original copies of ID or bills.
CES will issue replacement ballot papers where the requirements have been met. The deadline for replacement ballot papers is Friday 23 October 2026.
Can I appoint a proxy?
Yes. If you are unable to vote yourself, for example because you will be away during the ballot period, you can appoint someone else to vote on your behalf.
Applications to appoint a proxy must be submitted to Civica Election Services by 5pm on Monday 19 October 2026.
Applications can be sent to: bids.UK@civica.com
or by post to:
The Independent Scrutineer
Civica Election Services
The Election Centre
33 Clarendon Road
London
N8 0NW
The proxy application must be made in writing and:
- State the full name and address of the person you wish to appoint as your proxy;
- State the address(es) of your hereditament or hereditaments;
- Be signed by the applicant; and
- Include a statement confirming that the proposed proxy has been consulted and is capable and willing to be appointed.
A proxy appointment can be cancelled by notifying Civica Election Services no later than 5pm on Saturday 24 October 2026.
How do I vote?
The ballot is being conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services.
On your ballot paper, put a cross (X) in the box of your choice. You must then sign the ballot paper, write your name in block capitals and state your position in the company or partnership.
Place your completed ballot paper in the enclosed pre-paid envelope and return it to Civica Election Services.
To be counted, your ballot paper must be received by 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Read the Wight BID 3 Business Plan
The Wight BID 3 Business Plan 2026–2031 – Shaping the Future of the Isle of Wight Visitor Economy sets out the proposed priorities for the next five years and how Wight BID would continue supporting businesses and the Island’s visitor economy.
If you are eligible to vote, we encourage you to read the Business Plan, consider the proposals and make sure your vote is returned by the deadline.
Find out more about Wight BID 3:
https://visitwightpro.com/home/wight-bid-3
Or email bid@visitwight.org if you have questions about Wight BID 3 or would like further information.
Important ballot information
The ballot is independently administered by Civica Election Services. For questions about eligibility, ballot papers, replacement papers or proxy voting, please use the contact details provided by CES in your ballot information.
The ballot is being conducted under the Local Government Act 2003 and the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.