Proxy Votes

The proxy vote ensures people who cannot attend a polling station (usually for reasons of ill-health or employment) on election day can vote. Proxy voters nominate another person who will vote on their behalf. The proxy must be eligible to vote in the election themselves act on behalf of another person.

Proxy votes are available for one election (temporary) or all future elections (permanent).

You can download and fill in the Proxy Application Forms below to register a proxy vote. Please return your completed application form to our Electoral Services Team. You can find the address on our Contact the Council page.

All forms require a signature to prevent fraud. If you are unable to sign due to a disability, illness, unable to sign consistently or distinctively or you are unable to read or write then please contact the Electoral Services team for assistance.

Please note that your signature and date of birth will be read electronically and the boxes must, therefore, be correctly entered in a specific place on your application form.

Applying for a proxy vote

You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are individually registered to vote. When you apply you must provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:

• You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday
• You have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• Your employment means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• Your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• You are a British citizen living overseas
• You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces

If electors are registered blind, they may ask someone to support their application to confirm that their reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid.

Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are individually registered and eligible to vote in UK elections. The proxy must be eligible to vote in the election for which they have been appointed as a proxy. The proxy must be willing to vote on your behalf and cannot act as a Proxy for more than two other electors.

Proxy voting

• Your proxy must go to your polling station to vote. If your proxy cannot get to the polling station, they can apply to vote for you by post
• Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card before the election telling them which polling station they have to go to
• You must let your proxy know how you want them to vote on your behalf
• If you can go to the polling station on election day, you can still vote provided your proxy has not already done so or has not applied to vote by post

It is now possible to apply for an emergency proxy up to 5 pm on polling day, on the grounds of a medical emergency or where an elector has been unexpectedly called away because of their employment or service.