Getting someone to vote for you (proxy)
You can apply for someone to vote on your behalf. This person is called a proxy.
You can get someone to vote for you if you're already registered to vote and you:
- are blind or otherwise physically incapacitated
- or your spouse would be prevented from voting in person due to work or if you are studying at college or university
- are abroad on holiday.
The person you appoint must be:
- someone you trust to vote the way you want to
- registered to vote in the election
- aged 18 or over.
A person cannot vote on the behalf of more than 4 people and only 2 of those can be domestics electors (people who are not overseas in active service).
Apply for someone to vote on your behalf
The national deadline to apply is 5pm, 6 working days before an election.
The way you apply for someone to vote on your behalf depends on why you need to appoint a proxy.
You can apply for a proxy online if:
- you only need a proxy for 1 election
- you are an overseas elector (for example in the armed forces, a crown servant or a British Council employee.
To complete the online form, you'll need your National Insurance number.
Apply to appoint a proxy online
You'll need to use the below process if you're applying for a proxy vote because:
- you have a disability
- your job means you cannot vote yourself
- you cannot use the online portal.
You'll need to:
- complete the Proxy Vote Application Form
- upload it to apply for someone to vote on your behalf, or post to Electoral Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR.
Carefully read the notes that accompany the application form to find out if you need to get someone to support your application and who can do it.
If you're already registered to vote by post and want to change to someone voting on your behalf, you will need to cancel your postal vote first. You'll need to cancel your postal vote at least 11 days before an election.
If you change address you will need to make a new application to appoint a proxy. Your voting preference will not be carried forward to your new address.
All current proxy votes will expire on 31 January 2024. We will write to you to let you know how to re-apply if you need to.
Cancel someone voting on your behalf
If someone is voting on your behalf and you want to cancel this in time for an election, you will need to do so no later than 11 working days before the election.
Cancel someone voting on your behalf
All cancellations are acknowledged and confirmed to both you and the person who was going to vote on your behalf.
What we do with your information
The law requires that we provide the details of those who have appointed a proxy or chosen to vote by post to registered political parties, elected representatives and candidates in elections. There is no provision for you to withdraw your consent for this without cancelling your proxy or postal vote arrangement.
We will only use the contact details you provide to speak to you about your application. These details are not provided to anyone else.