Apply for a proxy vote - GOV.UK
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Part of
Vote in UK elections
Apply for a proxy vote
You can get someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy) if you cannot go to the polling station in person.
Use this service to apply to vote by proxy in:
general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
local elections in England (including mayors)
Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
national referendums if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
MP recall petitions in England, Scotland or Wales
There’s a different way to apply for the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), Scottish Parliament and local elections in
Scotland and Wales
If you’re registered to vote anonymously (this means your name and address do not appear on the electoral register), apply for your proxy vote through your
electoral registration office
This service is also available
in Welsh (Cymraeg)
You’ll need to apply by 5pm on 28 April 2026 to vote by proxy in the 7 May 2026 elections.
Start now
Before you start
You must ask your proxy’s permission before you apply.
To apply for a proxy vote you’ll need:
your
National Insurance number
or any other identity document, for example a birth certificate
the address where your proxy is registered to vote
contact details for your proxy
You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a proxy vote signature waiver within the service.
You and your proxy must both be
registered to vote
in the UK before you can apply.
If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
The rules are different if you want to apply for a proxy vote in
Northern Ireland
for all elections.
There’s a different way to apply for the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), Scottish Parliament and local elections in
Scotland and Wales
using a paper form.
If you live abroad
If you want to vote by proxy and you live abroad, apply for a proxy vote as soon as possible.
Change or update your proxy vote
To change or update who acts as your proxy or to start voting in person, contact your
electoral registration office
. You must contact your electoral registration office no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.
Stop voting by proxy
If you no longer want to vote by proxy and want to vote by post instead,
apply for a postal vote
. You must apply no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.
If you want to vote in person instead, contact your
electoral registration office
. You must contact your electoral registration office no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.
Change from a postal vote to a proxy vote
If you no longer want to vote by post and want to vote by proxy instead, apply for a proxy vote. You must apply no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.
Other ways to apply for a proxy vote
If you cannot apply online, download and fill in a
proxy voting application form
. Send it to your
electoral registration office
Contact your
electoral registration office
if:
you cannot print a copy of the proxy voting application form
you cannot sign a printed form
If you miss the deadline to apply for a proxy vote before an election, you may be able to
apply for an emergency proxy vote
Get help applying
There’s an
easy read guide about applying for a proxy vote online
This page is
Part of
Vote in UK elections
Step
Check if you can vote
Check which elections you can vote in
Step
Register to vote
You’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.
Register to vote - apply online
Register to vote - apply by post
Step
Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy
Find out the different ways you can vote
Step
Get ready to vote in person
Check what ID you need to vote
If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.
Contact your electoral registration office
or
Apply for a postal vote
In England, Scotland or Wales:
apply online for a postal vote
apply by post for a postal vote
Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
Find out more about voting by post
or
Apply for a proxy vote
In England, Scotland or Wales:
You are currently viewing:
apply online for a proxy vote
apply by post for a proxy vote
Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by
or
Get ready to vote as a proxy
Check what ID you need to vote
Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.
Contact the electoral registration office
Step
Vote in person
Vote in person
or
Vote by post
Vote by post
or
Vote as a proxy for someone else
Vote as a proxy for someone else
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