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

You and your proxy must both be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.

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).

Start now

Before you start

Ask your proxy’s permission before you apply.

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.

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.

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 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.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. Contact your Electoral Registration Office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. 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.

    1. Contact the Electoral Registration Office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else