A proxy vote is a vote cast by somebody on behalf of another. You must be registered to vote before you can appoint a proxy.
Asking a trusted person to vote on your behalf
If you know that you won't be able to get to the polling station on polling day and would prefer not to have a postal vote, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote on your behalf by post.
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 and eligible to vote in the election. Your proxy does not have to be related to you. At the same election, someone can only be proxy for 2 people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, they can act as proxy for up to 4 people but only 2 of these can be based in the UK.
Provide a reason
When completing the application, you need to give a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person. This may be because you're going to be on holiday, away with work, or unable to get to your polling station due to a disability.
Complete an application online
If you're applying to vote by proxy for a particular election, you live overseas or you're a service voter, you can apply online on GOV.UK.
The application includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly. You will need to provide your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature on your application. If you do not have a National Insurance number, or it cannot be matched, you will need to provide supporting documents and it may take longer to process your application.
Complete a paper application
If you cannot apply online, download, print and fill in a proxy voting application form from the Electoral Commission. Alternatively, contact Electoral Services who can post you a paper form.
If you require a permanent or long term proxy vote because you have a disability, are away on an educational course or work, or are an anonymous voter, please download, print and fill in the paper proxy voting application form.
Return the application by:
- email scan or photograph to electoral@elmbridge.gov.uk
- post to Electoral Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, KT10 9SD
- hand into the Civic Centre in Esher
Voting on election day
Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card before the election to tell them where to go to vote on your behalf.
The proxy will need to go to your polling station in Elmbridge to cast your vote. Your proxy will need to take a correct form of ID with them to the polling station so they can vote on your behalf. This should be their own ID rather than yours.
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. You cannot vote in person if your proxy has applied to vote by post.
Postal proxy vote
If your proxy can't get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote. Contact Electoral Services (electoral@elmbridge.gov.uk) for an application form.
Emergency proxy
In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy. This must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.
You can apply to vote by emergency proxy, if after the deadline for proxy applications, you are unable to vote in person because:
- you have a medical emergency
- you are away for work
- your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed.
To vote by emergency proxy, download the application to vote by emergency proxy from the Electoral Commission.
Completed applications much reach Electoral Services by 5pm on election day.