How to Vote by Proxy

Proxy Voting at the General Election 6th May 2010

New Proxy Voting

Applications to vote by proxy must be returned to the Elections office by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 27 April 2010. See "Can I apply for a proxy vote?" below for further details and an application form. If you are not already on our Register of Electors it is too late to apply now for voting at the General Election of 6th May 2010.

Amendments/cancellation of Proxy or Postal Proxy Voting arrangements

The deadline has passed for New Postal Votes or amendments/cancellation of existing Postal, Proxy or Postal Proxy Voting arrangements for use in the 6th May 2010 General Election.  Find out about Postal Voting.

On holiday?

If you are applying to vote by post because you are going on holiday, please bear in mind that ballot papers will land on doormats between 26 and 29 April 2010. You will need to give a postal address where you can receive your ballot papers. This can be your away address. We can post ballot papers anywhere in the world, but the problem is getting them back to us before 10.00 pm on 6 May 2010. If this is not practicable, you should consider making other arrangements, such as appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf. If your proxy can't physically get to the polling station then the proxy can vote by post.

If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply to vote by proxy (someone else voting on your behalf). You can apply to vote by proxy for a particular election, for a set period of time or for all future elections.

Can I apply for a proxy vote?

You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are on the Electoral Register - more information on How to be on the Register of Electors. When you apply for a proxy vote you have to provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:

• You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday - Download particular election proxy form
• You have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day - Download physical condition proxy form
• Your employment means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day - Download employment proxy form
• Your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day - Download educational course proxy form
• You are a British citizen living overseas - Download British citizen living overseas Form
• You are a crown servant or British Council employees Download crown servant or British Council employee Form
• A member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces - Download Armed Forces Proxy Form
• You can't get to the voting station at the last minute, for example, you have an emergency medical condition Download Emergency Proxy Form

Registered Blind

Except if you are registered blind, you may have to get someone to support your application to confirm that your reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid. More information is available on the notes on the application form.

Deadline

The deadline for applying to vote by proxy is normally 6 working days before an election. However, in England and Wales, if you have a medical emergency 6 days before election day or after, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy if the emergency means that you cannot go to the polling station in person.

Who can vote on my behalf?

Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in UK elections and they are willing to vote on your behalf.

Also see

• How do I apply by Proxy
• What happens after I've applied