2026 Manx general election

General elections are scheduled to be held on the Isle of Man on 24 September 2026.^[1]

Electoral system

Following the 2021 Manx general election, the Isle of Man Electoral Commission in January 2024 recommended ways to improve the electoral system which included publishing a study on the practicalness of electronic voting.^[2] It also recommended reducing the size of the constituencies of Glenfaba & Peel and Ramsey (whose populations had risen) to increase voter equality.^[2] Some of the more controversial changes include the "pre-certification" of postal votes and a requirement for candidates to declare their relevant interests before standing for a seat.^[3]

Manx elections have long been apolitical with the Manx Labour Party, Liberal Vannin, and Isle of Man Green Party, all struggling to break into the House of Keys in significant numbers, however, the creation of a new right-wing populist party, Isle of Man First threatens to upend this by not only promising to use the House of Keys to legislate in favor of just one segment of the population, small businesses, but also due to a reaction to oppose them more effectively.^[4]

Rejected referendum

MHK Stu Peters called for a referendum to be held during the general election on the Manx government's commitment to net zero by 2050 to "establish a reliable public mandate and reinforce government's commitment to net zero."^[5] Peters has a history of attempting to vote down government environmental regulations in the House of Keys, pushing for the date to be moved back in 2024.^[6][5] He was supported by fellow MHK Julie Edge who stated there was "public support" for Peters initiative.^[5] The proposal was denounced by the government, with Clare Barber, Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister, stating that the general election itself should be a vote on net-zero, with the issue being one of many issues voters will be considering.^[5] Similarly Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said net-zero was "not a simple, definable issue" while MLC Gary Clueit called the proposal that of "conspiracy."^[5] The government rejected Peters' proposal, and instead passed an amendment to their net-zero bill stating it was "to be democratically considered" as part of the general election.^[5]