How to vote

Skip contents

Voting by proxy

If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.

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

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

Your proxy should be someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You’ll need to tell them which candidate (or referendum outcome) you want to vote for.

How to apply for a proxy vote

You can:

You must apply by:

  • 5pm, 6 working days before election day in England, Scotland or Wales

  • 5pm, 14 working days before election day in Northern Ireland

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

If the proxy vote deadline has passed you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if any of the following apply:

  • you cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency or disability
  • you cannot vote in person because of your employment
  • the photo ID you were planning on using to vote has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
  • you’ve not yet received a new or replacement photo ID you’ve ordered

You do not need to show photo ID to vote in person in all UK elections and referendums. Check if you need to bring a photo ID to vote.

In England, Scotland and Wales, you have until 5pm on the day of the election to apply.

Fill in a paper form to:

If you’re applying for an emergency proxy vote because of a medical emergency, disability or your employment, you must get your application form signed by an ‘appropriate person’. This could be an employer or a doctor, for example.

Send your completed form to your electoral registration office.

There’s a different way to apply for an emergency proxy vote in Northern Ireland. You can apply up to 6 days before the election. Check how to apply on the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.

How long your proxy vote is for

You can apply to vote by proxy:

  • for a single election or referendum on a specific date
  • for a specific period if you want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales
  • permanently

Who can act as a proxy

You can ask anyone to act as your proxy - as long as they:

  • are registered to vote
  • are allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
  • can vote in the polling station stated on your poll card

They’ll need to take their own photo ID with them to vote in some elections.

If they cannot get to your polling station, they will need to contact your electoral registration office to arrange to cast their proxy vote by post.

Change or cancel your proxy vote

To change who acts as your proxy or to start voting in person, contact your electoral registration office.

If you want to vote by post instead, complete a postal vote application.

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

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else