How to vote

A proxy vote is where you appoint somebody that you trust to vote on your behalf.

Both you and your proxy must be registered to vote. 

You may need to apply for a proxy vote because:

• you’re away on election day
• you’re registered as a British citizen living overseas (parliamentary elections only)
• you have a medical issue or disability that limits you to attend your polling station
• the nature of your job or education course means you cannot go to your polling station

Your proxy must:

• be willing to vote on your behalf
• be eligible to vote in the same type of election as you
• only be a proxy for up to two people (or up to four people if two of them are registered as overseas voters)

Application deadline

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is by 5pm, six working days before the election. 

Apply online

You can apply to vote by proxy on GOV.UK

Start now

Apply using a paper form

Download paper proxy vote application form – Electoral Commission.

Post your completed form to customer services using the details at the bottom of this page.

You can also contact us to ask for a paper application form.

If your proxy wants to vote by post

Your proxy can apply for a postal vote.

If your appointed proxy is unable to go to your polling station on the day of the election, they can apply to vote by post on your behalf.

They must apply for a postal vote separately, even if they have already arranged a postal vote for themselves.

Once your proxy has been confirmed, we will send them a confirmation letter. If your proxy wishes to apply for a postal vote, they must contact us.

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

If 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 were planning on using to vote has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
• you’ve not yet received a new or replacement photo ID you’ve ordered

You can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on election day.

Visit the Electoral Commission to download an emergency proxy vote application form.

Change or cancel a proxy vote

To do so, you must contact customer services by email which must include:

• your full name and address
• the date from which you want to cancel your proxy vote