How to vote by proxy

If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.

You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.

Someone can be your proxy if they are:

• 18 or over
• registered to vote
• able to get to your polling station on polling day
• eligible to vote in the election

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

At the same election, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, they can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.

You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.

Someone can be your proxy if they are:

• 16 or over for Scottish Parliament and council elections, or 18 or over for UK Parliament elections
• registered to vote
• able to get to your polling station on polling day
• eligible to vote in the election

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

At UK parliamentary elections, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

At Scottish Parliament and council elections, someone can only be a proxy for their close relatives, plus two other people. 

If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.

You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.

Someone can be your proxy if they are:

• 16 or over for Senedd and local council elections, or 18 or over for UK Parliament elections
• registered to vote
• able to get to your polling station on polling day
• eligible to vote in the election

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

At UK parliamentary elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

At Senedd and local council elections, someone can only be a proxy for their close relatives, plus two other people.

If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.

You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.

Someone can be your proxy if they are:

• 18 or over
• registered to vote
• able to get to your polling station on polling day
• eligible to vote in the election

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

At the same election, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, they can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.

You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.

Someone can be your proxy if they are:

• 18 or over
• registered to vote
• able to get to your polling station on polling day
• eligible to vote in the election

Your proxy does not have to be related to you.

At UK parliamentary elections, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote. Your trusted person will need to take a correct form of ID with them to the polling station so they can vote on your behalf. This should be their own ID rather than yours. Learn more about accepted forms of photo ID.

They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should inform the electoral services team at your local council. They will be able to tell them where to go and vote and any other information needed.

You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote. Your proxy will need to show their own photo ID when voting in the polling station on your behalf. Learn more about which elections require photo ID.

They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should inform the electoral services team at your local council. They will be able to tell them where to go and vote and any other information needed.

You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote.

They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

At UK parliamentary elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, your proxy will need to show their own photo ID when voting in the polling station on your behalf. Learn more about voter ID.

If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should inform the electoral services team at your local council. They will be able to tell them where to go and vote and any other information needed.

You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote.

They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

At UK Parliament elections your proxy will need to show their own photo ID when voting in the polling station on your behalf. Learn more about voter ID.

If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should inform the electoral team at your local council. They will be able to tell them where to go and vote and any other information needed.

You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote. Your trusted person will need to take a correct form of ID with them to the polling station so they can vote on your behalf. This should be their own ID rather than yours.

They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should check with the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland. They will be able to tell your proxy where to go and vote.

You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

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 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 can 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 cancel  your application to vote by proxy.

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 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 can 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 cancel  your application to vote by proxy.

Northern Ireland

Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more information on this.

Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more information on this.