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 local 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.

Proxy voting by post

If you cannot get to the polling station you can apply to vote as a proxy by post.

You’ll need to apply separately even if you already vote by post for yourself.

Contact the local Electoral Registration Office of the person you are a proxy for to get a postal vote application form.

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 need to register to vote in elections and referendums. You need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote online
    1. Register to vote using a paper form

  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

    Contact your local electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply by 5pm, at least 6 working days before polling day.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the local 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 local 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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