How to vote by proxy
Elections Act changes
There are changes to voting by proxy. You can apply online for some types of proxy vote and there are changes to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Find out more about changes to voting by proxy.
The changes apply to:
- UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions in England, Scotland and Wales
- Local elections in England
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to apply for a new one.
Elections Act changes
There are changes to voting by proxy. You can apply online for some types of proxy vote and there are changes to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Find out more about changes to voting by proxy.
The changes apply to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions in England, Scotland and Wales.
The changes to the number of people you can act as a proxy for also applies at elections in Northern Ireland.
If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to apply for a new one.
Elections Act changes
There are changes to voting by proxy. These include how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Find out more about changes to voting by proxy.
The changes apply to UK Parliamentary elections, including by-elections and recall petitions and local elections, and local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland.
If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to apply for a new one.
Elections Act changes
There are changes to voting by proxy. You can now apply online for some types of proxy vote and there are changes to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Find out more about changes to voting by proxy.
The changes apply to UK Parliamentary elections, including by-elections and recall petitions.
If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to apply for a new one.
Elections Act changes
There are changes to voting by proxy. You can now apply online for some types of proxy vote and there are changes to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Find out more about changes to voting by proxy.
The changes apply to UK Parliamentary elections, including by-elections and recall petitions, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this will expire on 31 January 2024 and you will need to apply for a new one.
Ask someone you trust to be your 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.
Ask someone you trust to be your 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:
- 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.
Ask someone you trust to be your 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:
- 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.
Ask someone you trust to be your 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.
Ask someone you trust to be your 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 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.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
Voter ID
Voters in England now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now
Voter ID
Voters in Scotland now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
Find out more about which elections you will need photo ID for in Scotland and accepted forms of photo ID.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now
Voter ID
Voters in Wales now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
Find out more about which elections you will need photo ID for in Wales and accepted forms of photo ID.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now
Find your polling station
Enter your postcode to find out where your polling station is.
Postal proxy vote
If your trusted person can't get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal proxy vote is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.
Your trusted person will need to contact the electoral services team at your local council for more details and to request a further application form.
If your proxy is voting in an election that requires photo ID, and their form of accepted photo ID has been lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged then they may be able to apply for an emergency proxy.
Postal proxy vote
If your trusted person can't get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal proxy vote is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.
Your trusted person will need to contact your local electoral registration office for more details and to request a further application form.
If your proxy is voting in a UK Parliament election, and their form of accepted photo ID has been lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged then they may be able to apply for an emergency proxy.
Postal proxy vote
If your trusted person can't get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote.
Your trusted person will need to contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more details.
How to cancel your proxy vote
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.
How to cancel your proxy vote
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.
How to cancel your proxy vote
Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland for more information on this.
Emergency proxy
In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.