Voting by postal proxy
It is possible to vote by post on an elector’s behalf. Both you and the elector must have already registered to vote.
Local elections 2026 deadlines
Local elections take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.
- If you wish to vote by proxy in this election, apply by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. This deadline does not apply to emergency proxies
- For a postal proxy vote, we must receive both the original proxy vote application and postal proxy application by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April
- Requests to change or cancel any type of existing postal or proxy vote arrangement must reach us by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April
Before you start
Before you can apply, the elector will need to appoint you as their proxy. To do this they should complete the proxy application form on the GOV.UK website.
By default, proxy voters need to go to the elector's allocated polling station to vote on their behalf. If you'd prefer to have their ballot papers posted to you, you can complete the online postal proxy application form on this page. You can do this at the same time as the elector submits their form or afterwards, as long as both are received by the deadline.
National Insurance number
The form will ask you for your National Insurance number. If you can't provide this, we will contact you separately to request another form of ID, such as a passport or utility bills. Find out about what types of ID we accept. Your application will be delayed if your identity cannot be verified.
See our privacy statement for information about how your data will be processed, who we may share it with and why.
Your signature
If you are unable to sign your name, please contact Electoral Services and do not complete the form.
The form will ask you to upload a copy of your handwritten signature, so have this image ready before you start.
The signature must:
- Be signed in black ink on plain white paper
- Look the same as it normally does
- Not be written with a stylus or finger on a screen
If the signature on your postal proxy application does not match the one provided on the postal proxy voting statement at the time of voting, the ballot papers will be rejected.
How to apply
The deadline for postal proxy applications is 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
Please complete the form in good time. You can check details of application deadlines and postal vote dispatch dates for upcoming elections.
We will contact you if we need any further information and let you know when your application has been processed.
We cannot process your application if the elector has not appointed you as their proxy.
If you can't apply online, you can complete a paper version of this form.