Proxy vote

A proxy vote is when you give permission to someone to cast a vote on your behalf. Some people can apply for a permanent proxy vote, for example those who have a permanent disability, or who are likely to be away from home regularly for work or educational reasons. If you are temporarily unable to attend your polling station (holiday, work commitments, attending a hospital appointment on election day) you can also appoint a proxy to vote for you.

Your proxy should be someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You’ll need to tell them which candidate (or referendum outcome) you want to vote for. Your proxy will need to take their own photo ID with them to vote in the polling station.

A proxy can vote for a maximum of 4 people. No more than 2 of those people can be domestic electors. Domestic electors are voters who are neither overseas voters nor service voters.

If your proxy cannot get to your polling station, they will need to contact your Electoral Services office to arrange to cast their proxy vote by post.

Who can act as a proxy 

You can ask anyone to act as your proxy - as long as they: 

  • Are registered to vote 
  • Are allowed to vote in the type of election taking place 
  • Can vote in the polling station stated on your poll card 

 They’ll need to take their own photo ID with them to vote in some elections. 

Change or cancel your proxy vote 

To change who acts as your proxy or to start voting in person, contact your Local Electoral Services office

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Apply for a proxy vote

There are two ways to apply for a proxy vote for a specific election:

All successful applications received will be acknowledged by your local Electoral Services team. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we have not received your application or there is an outstanding query about your application.

Postal and proxy votes - why do I have to provide my National Insurance number, signature and date of birth?
New security measures have been introduced for postal and proxy voting. The National Insurance number, signature and date of birth will be used to check that your vote is not being used by someone else.

Postal and proxy votes - what happens if I cannot provide a signature?
If you are unable to provide a signature, or require help to complete the form please contact Electoral Services office

Apply for a permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won’t be able to get to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time. 

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

If you have become aware that you are unable to go to the polling station to vote only after the proxy vote deadline has passed you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if any of the following apply

  • You cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency or disability
  • You cannot vote in person because of your employment
  • The photo ID you intended to use is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged and you do not have a different form of accepted photo ID you can use. You can also use this form to change an existing proxy if the photo ID your proxy intended to use becomes unavailable and they do not have a different form of accepted photo ID they can use. you have not yet received a new or replacement photo ID you have ordered

You have until 5pm on the day of the election to apply for an emergency proxy vote.

Fill in the relevant paper form

If you are applying for an emergency proxy vote because of a medical emergency, disability or your employment, your application form must be signed by an ‘appropriate person’ (for example your employer or a doctor).

Completed forms must be emailed for quickness or by post to your local Electoral Services office

Register to vote

You can register on GOV.UK to vote in elections and referendums in the UK.

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