How to vote

You can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including:

• being away on polling day
• having a medical issue or disability
• not being able to vote in person because of work or military service

Since Tuesday 31 October:

• all proxy vote applications require ID verification
• voters are limited to acting as a proxy for 2 people only, regardless of their relationship
• anyone voting on behalf of UK voters who live overseas can act as a proxy for up to 4 people

Find out more about changes to proxy votes on The Electoral Commission's website.

You can apply for a proxy vote online on GOV.UK.

You will not be able to apply for a proxy vote online if:

• your application needs attesting
• you're applying for an emergency proxy vote

Proxy vote application forms are available to download and print from the Electoral Commission’s website.

Completed forms can be either be:

• scanned and emailed to [email protected]
• posted to:
  Electoral Services
  The Gateway,
  Gatehouse Road,
  Aylesbury,
  HP19 8FF

If you're unable to print the form, telephone 01296 798 141.

If you have a proxy vote in place, you will be sent a proxy poll card a few weeks before the election which will tell you when the election is due to take place and give details of your proxy voting arrangements.

Your nominated proxy voter will also be sent a proxy poll card, telling them how to vote on your behalf.

The person you have appointed as your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote. They will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to cast your vote for you.

If you vote by proxy, you do not need to supply ID.

However, at certain elections the person you nominate to vote on your behalf will need to present either:

• a form of accepted ID
• their own Voter Authority Certificate to vote on your behalf at the polling station