Voting by Proxy

Under certain circumstances you can apply for a proxy vote which allows you to nominate someone else to attend the polling station and cast your vote.

In order to be able to vote by proxy, both the elector and the person they have appointed as proxy must be individually registered to vote. Unless both parties have received confirmation that they are individually registered then proxy votes cannot be put in place.

You can apply for a proxy vote if you meet one of the following criteria

1. You are registered blind
2. You receive the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
3. You have a physical incapacity; or your employment is such that you could not attend the polling station
4. You can also apply for a proxy vote for one election if you will be away on holiday or away from home at the time of the election
5. If you apply for a proxy vote because you have a physical incapacity or due to the nature of your employment your application must be supported by a doctor or your employer.

Postal Proxy

If you have been appointed by an elector as their proxy then you can vote by post on their behalf.

This means that instead of going to vote at the elector's local polling station, you can ask us to send the ballot paper to your home address, or an address of your choice in the UK. You then post your vote back to us.

Ballot papers are usually posted out on the 10th and 5th working days before an election.

All ballot papers must reach us before polling stations close on election day - either at the Electoral Shared Services office or at a polling station in the electoral area. Ballot papers received after this time cannot be counted. If you have a postal proxy vote, you cannot change your mind and vote at the elector's polling station on election day.

If you have been appointed as a proxy you can apply to vote by post at any time.

However there are deadlines for receipt of applications in respect of particular elections. These deadlines are set out in the Notice of Election. Copies of this Notice for forthcoming elections are displayed within the electoral area and at the Council's main offices.

All applications must be signed and dated by the applicant.

Emergency Medical Proxy

If you have had a medical emergency that took place 6 days before an election or less, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy.

You can apply up to 5pm on Election Day. But remember, you must be registered first.

You must give a reason, and your application must be supported by a qualified person, who must also sign your application.

Applications for a proxy vote can be made up to six days before polling day, but an "emergency” proxy vote can be applied for after this date for those who could not have applied earlier because of unforeseen health reasons.

"An emergency” application can be made up to 5pm on polling day. Contact us to make an emergency application.

Apply for a proxy vote

Please follow this link to complete an application to vote by proxy