How to vote

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Voting as a proxy for someone else

You may be asked to vote on behalf of someone else if they’re unable to vote in person. This is called a proxy vote.

To be a proxy you must be:

Who you can be a proxy for

You can be a proxy for either:

  • up to 2 people
  • up to 4 people if at least 2 of them are registered to vote from abroad

Proxy voting for someone registered to vote from abroad 

The person you’re a proxy for will have registered to vote from abroad if they’re either:

  • a British citizen living abroad (known as an ‘overseas voter’) 
  • living abroad because of work for the armed forces or the Government (known as a ‘service voter’)

Service voters

Service voters make a ‘service declaration’ when they register to vote. They must be either:

Proxy voting in person

Before you vote you should find out which candidate (or referendum outcome) the person wants to vote for.

You’ll need to vote at the polling station where the person you’re a proxy for usually votes. This may be a different polling station to where you vote.

If you do not know which polling station to go to, contact the Electoral Registration Office of the person you are a proxy for.

You may need to show photo ID to vote in some elections. Check what photo ID you’ll need. You do not need to show the ID of the person you are the proxy for.

If you cannot get to the polling station of the person you are a proxy for

You can apply to vote as a proxy by post.

You’ll need to contact the Electoral Registration Office of the person you are a proxy for to get an application form to cast a proxy vote by post. You cannot access this form online.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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

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