Postal and proxy voting changes

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Changes to voting by post and proxy

Voters can now apply online to vote by post and for some types of proxy vote
Voters need to prove their identity when applying to vote by post and by proxy
There are changes to how many people someone can act as a proxy for
Voters need to reapply for a postal vote every three years

The changes apply to UK Parliament elections in England, Scotland and Wales, including by-elections and recall petitions, local elections in England and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.

The limit to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for will also apply at local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland.

Handing in postal votes

From 2 May at UK Parliament elections, local elections in England, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, voters will be only able to hand in their own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station.

Campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives, or someone they provide regular care for.

In Northern Ireland, it will be an offence for a campaigner to handle another person’s postal vote. Postal votes cannot be accepted at polling stations.

Download our resources

We have produced a range of resources to help local authorities, Electoral Registration Officers and other partners communicate these changes to voters. These include posters, a flyer, a Press FAQ, social media graphics and template posts, web banners and template web and newsletter copy.

Posters and A5 Flyer

The posters and flyer summarise these changes, and are available in two formats:

‘Professional print’, containing crop marks and bleed
‘Print ready’, to be printed on a home or office printer

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Posters and Flyer – England

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Posters and Flyer – Scotland

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Posters and Flyer – Wales

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Posters and Flyer – Northern Ireland

Press FAQ

The Press FAQ can be used by local authorities when responding to press queries relating to these changes.

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Press FAQ – England, Scotland and Wales

An updated Press FAQ including information for Northern Ireland will be published shortly.

Social media graphics and template posts

The social media graphics are simple to use, with icons representing each of the various changes to postal and proxy voting. Each graphic corresponds to a different template post explaining the relevant change.

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Social Media Graphics and Posts – England

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Social Media Graphics and Posts – Scotland

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Social Media Graphics and Posts – Wales

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Social Media Graphics and Posts – Northern Ireland

Web banners

The web banners contain a generic message announcing these changes. They can be displayed on council websites to help make residents aware and signpost them to the Electoral Commission’s website for more information.

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Web Banner – England

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Web Banner – Scotland

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Web Banner – Wales

Postal and Proxy Voting Changes – Web Banner – Northern Ireland