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Who can have a Postal or Proxy Vote?
Anyone who is registered as an elector can apply for a postal vote.
You will need to give a special reason if you want a proxy vote – for example if you are blind or disabled, if you cannot reasonably be expected to get to the polling station on polling day, or if you are working away from home.
There are two ways you can vote without going to your polling station:-
- By postal vote (whereby we mail your ballot paper to you and you post it back to us).
- By proxy (whereby someone you have appointed goes to the Polling Station to vote on your behalf).
You must apply to us in advance of an election for both of these.
If you wish to apply, you can download the relevant application form from the Electoral Commission's "about my vote" website, or follow the link from our Electoral Forms list.
The law sets deadlines for applications if they are to be effective for a particular election. We must get your application to vote by post by no later than 5 p.m. on the eleventh working day before the election; proxy applications should be made by 5pm on the sixth working day before the election.
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You have to apply in writing and supply personal identifiers consisting of your signature and your date of birth, which, when you vote by post, will be compared to the signature and date of birth that you supply at that time. If you contact us we can send you a form or you can use the Electoral Commission’s application form which you should complete, sign and send back to us straight away but, in any case, no later than 5 p.m. on the eleventh working day before the election.
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How long does my Postal Vote Application last?
You can indicate on the form whether you want a postal vote for all future elections, for a specified period or just for one election.
If you choose to have a long-term postal vote, we can only cancel it if you ask us at least 11 working days before the election.
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Where will my Ballot Paper be sent?
You can tell us on the form where you want us to send your ballot paper. This does not have to be the address where you are registered as an elector if, for example, you will be away from home over the election period. Please remember, however, that if you are applying for a permanent postal vote, your ballot paper will always be sent to the address that you put on the form and for so long as you are registered as a postal voter you will not be allowed to go to the polling station to vote.
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When will I receive my Ballot Paper?
We aim to send out the postal ballot papers during the two weeks immediately before the election. We will send them by first class post and we will include a first class, prepaid envelope for you to return it in.
However, if you will be away during that period and have any doubt that you will be able to receive and return your ballot paper before the close of the poll, you might wish to consider having a proxy vote instead.
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How do I get a Proxy Vote?
You have to apply in writing. If you ask us we can send you a form or you can download one that is appropriate for your circumstances from the Electoral Commission’s “about my vote” website. To apply, complete the form, sign it and send it back to us straight away but, in any case, by no later than 5 p.m. on the sixth working day before the election.
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Do I qualify to Vote by Proxy?
To be able to vote by proxy you have to show that you cannot reasonably be expected to get to the polling station on polling day. This could be because:-
- You are registered as a service voter.
- Your occupation means you will be working away on election day.
- You will be away on an educational course on election day.
For most applications for a proxy vote you have to get someone to confirm the details. For example, if the proxy vote is required for medical reasons, a doctor or a registered nurse can sign the form. And if the application is because of your work, your employer can sign it.
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What is a Proxy Voter?
A proxy is someone named by you to vote on your behalf. You tell us on the application form who that person is and they have to sign the form as well to say that they have agreed to vote on your behalf.
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Who can be a Proxy?
Someone can be a proxy if they are over 18 and prepared to vote on your behalf. If the person is not related to you there is a limit to the number of votes that they can cast by proxy.
If they qualify and your application is accepted, we will send your proxy an official appointment. It is up to you to tell your proxy who they should vote for. You must be able to trust them to follow your instructions. If, after all, you can get to the polling station on polling day, you will be able to cast your vote as long as your proxy has not already voted for you.
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How long does my Proxy Appointment last?
Tell us on the form how long you want the appointment to last. You can apply for it to last indefinitely (for all future elections), for a single election only or for a specific period of time.
To cancel a proxy vote, you have to tell us by no later than 5 p.m. on the sixth working day before the election.
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