Ask someone you trust to be your proxy
If you're voting by proxy, you need to ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf.
You'll need to tell your proxy who you would like to vote for.
Someone can be your proxy if they are:
- 18 or over
- registered to vote
- able to get to your polling station on polling day
- eligible to vote in the election
Your proxy does not have to be related to you.
At the same election, someone can only be a proxy for their close relatives, plus two other people.
What your appointed proxy needs to do on polling day
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.
For some elections your proxy will need to show their own photo ID when voting in the polling station on your behalf. Learn more about which elections require photo ID.
If they don't receive a proxy poll card, they should inform the electoral services team as soon as possible. They will be able to tell them where to go and vote and any other information needed.
You can still vote in person if you have a proxy vote, but only if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.
How to cancel your proxy vote
If you have nominated a proxy, but then change your mind and wish to vote yourself, then you can apply to cancel your proxy vote.
The deadline to cancel a proxy vote in England, Scotland and Wales is before 5pm, 11 working days before the election.
If a completed postal proxy vote has already been returned, the proxy arrangements cannot be cancelled for that election.
Another option is for you to vote in person. You are able to do this, as long as you do so before your proxy. This is not an option if your proxy has already voted by post on your behalf.
Alternatively you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline to do so is 5pm, 11 working days before the election you will be voting in. This postal application will then supersede the voting by proxy application.