Apply to vote by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.

Find out how to vote by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.

Find out how to vote by proxy
 

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling place on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling place to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.

Find out how to vote by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.

In Northern Ireland, you can vote by proxy if you can't get to the polling station on polling day for certain reasons.

In certain circumstances, you can also apply for an indefinite proxy vote. You can do this at any time of year.

If you're registered as an overseas voter, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

You can also vote by proxy if you’re a service voter or a Crown servant voter from and are based overseas.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote for you by post.

To apply for a proxy vote, you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person.

This may be because you're going to be on holiday, or have a physical condition which means you can't get to your polling station on polling day.

You will need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house. 

A proxy vote for a specific election

Use this form to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election. This could be because you're on holiday or away for work for an upcoming polling day.

Download the form to vote by proxy at a particular election or referendum (PDF)

A permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won't be able to go to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time.

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

• You have a disability (PDF)
• You are away on an educational course (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are registered as an overseas voter (PDF)
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant (PDF)
• You are serving overseas in the Armed Forces (PDF)

To apply for a proxy vote, you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person.

This may be because you're going to be on holiday, or have a physical condition which means you can't get to your polling station on polling day.

You will need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house. 

A proxy vote for a specific election

Use this form to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election. This could be because you're on holiday or away for work for an upcoming polling day.

Download the form to vote by proxy at a particular election or referendum (PDF)

A permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won't be able to go to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time.

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

• You have a disability (PDF)
• You are away on an educational course (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are registered as an overseas voter (PDF)
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant (PDF)
• You are serving overseas in the Armed Forces (PDF)

To apply for a proxy vote, you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can't get to your polling place in person.

This may be because you're going to be on holiday, or have a physical condition which means you can't get to your polling place on polling day.

You will need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house. 

A proxy vote for a specific election

Use this form to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election. This could be because you're on holiday or away for work for an upcoming polling day.

Download the form to vote by proxy at a particular election or referendum (PDF)

A permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won't be able to go to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time.

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

• You have a disability (PDF)
• You are away on an educational course (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are registered as an overseas voter (PDF)
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant (PDF)
• You are serving overseas in the Armed Forces (PDF)

Download the absent vote form and find out more from the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.

If you registered to vote online, you'll need to provide your Digital Registration Number (DRN) on your application for a proxy vote. 
 

To apply for a proxy vote, you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person.

This may be because you're going to be on holiday, or have a physical condition which means you can't get to your polling station on polling day.

You will need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house. 

A proxy vote for a specific election

Use this form to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election. This could be because you're on holiday or away for work for an upcoming polling day.

Download the form to vote by proxy at a particular election or referendum (PDF)

A permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won't be able to go to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time.

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

• You are registered as an overseas voter (PDF)
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant (PDF)
• You are serving overseas in the Armed Forces (PDF)

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form.

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form.

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form.

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form.

The application form includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly.

You will need to provide your date of birth and signature on your application form.

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to the electoral services team at your local council.

You can send your form by post. The electoral services team at your local council may also accept a scanned copy of your form by email, but you should check with them first.

When applying for a new proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, six working days before the poll.

When changing or cancelling an existing proxy, postal or postal proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. 

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to the electoral services team at your local council.

You can send your form by post. The electoral services team at your local council may also accept a scanned copy of your form by email, but you should check with them first.

When applying for a new proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, six working days before the poll.

When changing or cancelling an existing proxy, postal or postal proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. 

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.

You can send your form by post, or you can send a scanned copy by email.

When applying for a new proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, six working days before the poll.

When changing or cancelling an existing proxy, postal or postal proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. 

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it by post to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to your electoral registration office.

You can send your form by post. Your electoral registration office may also accept a scanned copy of your form by email, but you should check with them first.

If you’re registered as an overseas voter and used to live in Northern Ireland, you need to send it by post to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.

If you’re a service voter or a Crown service voter and you’re from Northern Ireland, you also need to send your form by post to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

• You have a medical emergency (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

• You have a medical emergency
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

• You have a medical emergency and intend to vote in an election in Scotland (PDF) Complete this form if you intend to vote in a local council election or Scottish Parliamentary election. If you intend to vote in another election, you should complete the form below.
• You have a medical emergency and intend to vote in any other election (PDF) 
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are a Scottish prisoner serving a sentence of 12 months or less (PDF)
• You cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.
• You need to change your existing proxy for a Scottish council election (PDF) Complete this form to apply for a new proxy for a local council election if your existing proxy cannot vote in person on your behalf.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

• You have a medical emergency and intend to vote in an election in Scotland (PDF) Complete this form if you intend to vote in a Scottish Parliamentary election. If you intend to vote in another election, you should complete the form below.
• You have a medical emergency (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are a Scottish prisoner serving a sentence of 12 months or less (PDF)
• You live in England and cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.
• You live in Scotland and cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.
• You live in Wales and cannot vote in person due to COVID-19 (PDF) This form can also be used to change your nominated proxy if they cannot vote in person on your behalf due to COVID-19.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

If you have nominated a proxy, but then change your mind and wish to vote yourself, then you have several options. 

One option is that you can apply to cancel your proxy vote. 

• In England and Wales contact your local council.
• In Scotland contact your electoral registration office.

The deadline to cancel a proxy vote in England, Scotland and Wales is before 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

If a completed postal proxy vote has already been returned, the proxy arrangements cannot be cancelled for that election.

Another option is for you to vote in person. You are able to do this, as long as you do so before your proxy. This is not an option if your proxy has already voted by post on your behalf.

Alternatively you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline to do so is 5pm, 11 working days before the election you will be voting in. This postal application will then supersede the voting by proxy application.

The deadline to cancel your proxy vote in Northern Ireland this year is 5pm on the 12 April 2022. Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more information on this.

England, Scotland and Wales

If you have nominated a proxy, but then change your mind and wish to vote yourself, then you have several options. 

One option is that you can apply to cancel your proxy vote. 

• In England and Wales contact your local council.
• In Scotland contact your electoral registration office.

The deadline to cancel a proxy vote in England, Scotland and Wales is before 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

If a completed postal proxy vote has already been returned, the proxy arrangements cannot be cancelled for that election.

Another option is for you to vote in person. You are able to do this, as long as you do so before your proxy. This is not an option if your proxy has already voted by post on your behalf.

Alternatively you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline to do so is 5pm, 11 working days before the election you will be voting in. This postal application will then supersede the voting by proxy application.

Northern Ireland

The deadline to cancel your proxy vote in Northern Ireland this year is 5pm on the 12 April 2022. Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more information on this.