How to vote as someone's proxy

Being appointed as a proxy

If you have been appointed as someone's proxy, this means you can cast their vote on their behalf.

You can be a proxy for close relatives (defined as your spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild) and up to two other people.

You can only act as proxy if you are 18 or over (16 or over in Scotland at Scottish Parliamentary and local council elections) and you are (or will be) registered to vote in that type of election or referendum.

The person who appointed you will tell you how they want you to vote on their behalf, for example, which candidate, party, or outcome.

Proxy offences

• For a person to knowingly appoint a proxy who is already acting as a proxy for two or more domestic electors.

• To vote as a proxy for more than two domestic electors.

• For a person who is registered as an overseas elector or a service voter to knowingly appoint a proxy who is already acting as a proxy for four or more electors (of which no more than two electors can be domestic electors). 

• To vote as a proxy for more than four electors (of which no more than two electors can be domestic electors). 

How to vote as someone's proxy

You must go to the polling station of the person who appointed you as their proxy.  If you can't go to their polling station, you can apply to vote for them by post up to 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

You will receive a proxy poll card telling you where and when to cast their vote for them.

If you don't receive a proxy poll card, you should check with the local council of the person who has appointed you as their proxy. They will be able to tell you where to go to vote.

The person who appointed you as their proxy may still vote in person, provided they do so before you have voted for them, or you have not applied to vote for them by post.