Application to vote by emergency proxy
based on occupation, service or employment
Voting by proxy
Proxy voting means that if you aren’t able to cast your vote in person, you can have someone you trust cast
your vote for you.
If you are not able to attend the polling station in person for reasons relating to your occupation,
service or employment, and you only become aware of this after 5pm, on the sixth working day before
the poll, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy (someone else voting on your behalf). You can apply up
until 5pm on the day of the poll.
This form should not be used if you have been detained in a hospital under Section 145 of the Mental Health
Act 1983 in England and Wales or Section 329 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act
2003 in Scotland.
Both you and your proxy must be registered and eligible to vote.
A person can only be a proxy for close relatives and up to two other people at an election or referendum.
Close relatives are the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of
the applicant.
How do I apply to vote by proxy?
You must ask someone who is willing and capable to be your proxy and vote on your behalf.
Unless you are registered to vote as a service voter or anonymous elector, you must get an appropriate
person to sign your application. See notes below for information on who can support your application.
Make sure all sections of the form are complete and supply your date of birth and signature. You need to give
your date of birth and signature on this application form. This information is needed to prevent fraud. If you
are unable to sign this form, please contact your elections team at your council.
Return your form to your elections team at your council. You can find their details and more information
at electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.
Please do not return your form to the Electoral Commission.
This form can only be used after 5pm, on the sixth working day before the poll and must arrive at your
electoral registration office before 5pm on the day of the poll.
If you are not already registered to vote, you must register before applying for a proxy vote. The deadline to
register to vote is midnight, 12 working days before the poll. Register to vote online at gov.uk/register-to-vote
This form and these deadlines do not apply in Northern Ireland. Visit eoni.org.uk for more information.
Who can support my application?
Your application can be supported by:
an employer or another authorised person at the place of work (if employed)
a person who knows you and is not related to you (if self-employed).
In England, your supporter must be aged 18 or over.
In Scotland, if you are self-employed your supporter must be 16 or over to support your application for local
elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament. They must be 18 or over to support all other applications.
In Wales, if you are self-employed your supporter must be 16 or over to support your application for
Senedd elections. They must be 18 or over to support all other applications.
Your supporter must complete the relevant declaration section 8, 9 or 10.
If you are registered as a service voter (armed forces, Crown servant, British Council employee), you do
not need support for your application.
If you are registered as an anonymous elector you do not need support for your application.
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