Transitional arrangements for proxy vote applications
The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 introduced the requirement for proxy vote applications made for UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections to undergo ID verification as well as enabling applications to be made online.
The Absent Voting (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2026 commenced on 3 November and introduced similar provisions for proxy vote applications made for Senedd and local government elections in Wales.
New applications received after commencement
All proxy vote applications received after commencement must satisfy the new requirements including information for the verification of personal identifiers.1
Where an application does not contain the required information, you should, where possible, make enquiries to obtain the missing information. If the missing information is not submitted, the application cannot be accepted. You should write to the elector, explain why the application has not been accepted and how to make a fresh application.
1. Regulation 51(2) (a) and (aa), Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (as amended); Paragraph 11(1)(a) and (aa), Schedule 2, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (as amended); Paragraph 1(aa), Schedule 1, The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025↩ Back to content at footnote 1