Apply to vote by proxy if you're a Crown servant or British Council employee
If you're a Crown servant, British Council employee or their spouse or civil partner, you can apply to vote by proxy.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Documents
Details
Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election
Register by 11:59pm on 18 June 2024 to vote in the General Election on 4 July 2024.
Voting from overseas
If you’re abroad, you can vote:
- by post
- by applying to have someone else vote for you (voting by proxy)
You must have applied to register to vote in the UK before you can apply to vote by post or proxy.
Voting by post
If you’re applying for your postal vote online, you must apply by 5pm on 19 June 2024.
If you’re applying for your postal vote by post, you must get your postal vote application to your local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on 19 June 2024.
If you live abroad and want to vote by postal vote, make sure you apply for and return your postal vote as soon as possible. It can take a long time for your ballot pack to reach you and get back to the UK, especially if your local postal services are irregular or if you live far from the UK.
The Electoral Commission advises people living overseas to apply for a proxy vote if possible.
Voting by proxy
If you’re applying for your proxy vote online, you must apply by 5pm on 26 June 2024.
If you’re applying for your proxy vote by post, you must get your proxy vote application to your local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on 19 June 2024.
Before you apply
You can ask anyone to act as your proxy, as long as they are registered to vote and it’s for a type of election they’re allowed to vote in.
How to apply for a proxy vote
There are different forms, depending on why you can’t get to the polling station. Make sure you complete the right one.
You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if the deadline to apply for a proxy vote has passed.
Where to send your form
Send the completed form to your local Electoral Registration Office.
Other ways to apply
You can apply online to vote by proxy.
Last updated 31 October 2023 + show all updates
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You can now apply online to vote by proxy. The law has changed regarding people who can be proxies. The paper forms have been updated by the Electoral Commission.
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If you are registered to vote and want to vote by proxy in the 5 May 2022 elections, you must submit a proxy vote application form that is received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022.
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You can no longer apply to register to vote by proxy for the polls on 6 May 2021. You can still apply for an emergency proxy subject to certain criteria.
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Updated to include new forms.
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If you are registered to vote and want to vote by proxy in the 6 May 2021 elections, you must submit a proxy vote application form that is received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
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Attachments updated.
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Forms updated with new data protection guidance.
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Information added to explain that it's now too late to apply by poxy for the 3 May elections.
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First published.