Running electoral registration - England

Changing an appointed proxy

Proxy voters who have a proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period may apply to change their appointed proxy at any time up until 5pm, 11 working days before a poll to be effective at that poll.1 The application must state the full name and address of the person whom the elector wishes to appoint as their new proxy. It must also contain a statement that the person to be appointed as the proxy is capable and willing to vote as the applicant’s proxy.2  

Where the change of proxy is to a definite or indefinite proxy arrangement, the person newly appointed as proxy remains until the proxy arrangement ends or the elector decides to make another change.3  

You should inform the elector in a confirmation letter that - the person most recently appointed as their proxy will remain in place, as described above. 

Alternatively, they may submit a fresh application to vote by proxy for a definite or indefinite period, by 5pm six working days before the poll, which would supersede the earlier one.

There are no provisions for those electors with a proxy vote at a particular poll to change their proxy appointment. However, they may submit a fresh application to vote by proxy, by 5pm six working days before the poll, which would supersede the earlier one.

Emergency change of proxy on grounds relating to voter identification 

After the deadline of 5pm, six working days before the poll, a proxy voter can make an application to change their appointed proxy on grounds relating to voter identification. The application must include a statement that to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief their appointed proxy meets one of the conditions provided for. An application made under these provisions must reach the ERO by 5pm on the day of poll.4  

Changing from a proxy vote to a postal vote

Proxy voters who have a proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period may change their voting option from proxy to postal at any time up until 5pm, 11 working days before a poll to be effective at that poll.5 Applications to change the method of voting from proxy to postal must be made by submitting an application to vote by post. If the postal vote application is determined and approved, you must amend the record accordingly.

Cancelling a proxy vote

Proxy voters who have a proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period may cancel their proxy vote at any time up until 5pm, 11 working days before a poll to be effective at that poll.6  

There are no provisions for electors with a proxy vote at a particular poll to cancel their proxy vote. However, they may change their voting method by submitting a postal application by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll, which would supersede the earlier application for a proxy vote.

An elector who has appointed a proxy may still vote in person, provided they do so before their appointed proxy and that the appointed proxy has not successfully applied to vote by post.

Changing or cancelling a proxy vote where a postal proxy exists

If a postal proxy returns their postal ballot paper (unless they have spoilt it or claim it has been lost or not received) before you have determined an application from the elector to change or cancel their proxy, or from the proxy to change their method of voting from postal to voting in person, you must disregard the application for the poll for which the postal ballot paper has been issued.7 Please see our guidance on the cancellation of postal votes, which also applies in the case of a postal proxy.

Requirement to notify the Returning Officer at a poll of changes to proxy voting arrangements

You must notify the Returning Officer whenever you have granted:8  

• cancellation of proxy vote or postal proxy vote arrangements
• change from proxy to postal
• appointment of proxy
• application for a proxy postal ballot paper to be sent to a different address