Vote by proxy

If you’re not able to vote yourself, you can appoint someone you trust to vote for you. This person is called your proxy.

Apply to vote by proxy

To apply to vote by proxy, you will need to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.

This may be because you are away from your local area on polling day or because you have a disability that prevents you from voting in person.

You have to apply before midnight, six working days before the election you want to vote in.

Apply online

You can apply for a proxy vote online for elections in England and some elections in Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, you have to complete a form.

You will need:

your proxy’s address where they are registered to vote
your proxy’s contact details
a photo of your signature written with a black pen on white paper
your National Insurance number for elections in England and some elections in Scotland and Wales
your Digital Registration Number if you live in Northern Ireland and you registered to vote online.

Apply by paper form

There are different paper forms to apply for a proxy vote depending on:

the part of the country you are registered to vote in
if you are only voting by proxy for one election
the reason you are applying for a proxy vote.

View the proxy voting forms for England, Scotland, or Wales or the proxy voting forms for Northern Ireland to find the one you need.

Emergency proxy vote

Sometimes events outside your control may stop you from voting on election day.

If this happens to you, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote so someone else can vote for you. To do this you have to apply by 5pm on the day of the election.

Emergency situations you can apply for a proxy vote are:

you have a medical emergency
you are away for work
your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.

To apply for an emergency proxy vote or find out more about it contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

How to vote by proxy

Your proxy will need:

to know who you want to vote for
to be registered to vote themselves
to be able to get to your polling station to vote for you. This may be different to their own polling station
their own photo ID for elections in England and some elections in Scotland and Wales.

Vote in your next election

Your voice matters. Find out when your next election is to have your say.

Find your next election

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