Since 31 October 2023 there have been changes to voting by proxy and applying to vote by proxy.

There is now a limit to how many people someone can act as a proxy for.

You can also apply online for some types of proxy vote. You cannot apply online if your application needs attesting or if you’re applying for an emergency proxy vote.

The changes apply to:

  • UK Parliamentary elections, including by-elections and recall petitions
  • Local elections in England
  • 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 to local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland.

Changes

Changes to proxy voting came into force on 31 October. These include:

  • You can now apply online for some types of proxy vote
  • Your identity will be checked as part of the application process. Both online and paper application will require ID verification (except for emergency proxy votes). 
  • There is now a limit to the amount of people someone can be a proxy for. You can act as a proxy for two people. If you vote on behalf of UK voters who live overseas, you can act as a proxy for up to four people (but only two of those can live in the UK).
     

Our role

We have provided updated guidance and support to electoral administrators to help them understand and deliver the changes.

We are supporting local authorities to communicate these changes to voters who want to apply for a proxy vote, including highlighting to them the option to apply for a proxy vote online where it exists.

We have told political parties and campaigners about the proxy vote changes.