Register to vote

You must be registered under Individual Electoral Registration to apply to vote by post or proxy.

Postal votes

If you can't get to your polling station for whatever reason, you can apply for a postal vote but you must be registered under Individual Electoral Registration first.

Download a postal vote application form and return it to electoral services by post or by hand.

The deadline for the receipt of new postal vote applications or to change or cancel an existing postal applications for all elections is 11 working days prior to polling day.

Postal vote ballot papers are normally sent out about a week before the election.

Arranging a proxy vote

If you can't get to your polling station, you may be able to have someone vote on your behalf. You must be registered under Individual Electoral Registration first.

Download a proxy vote application form and return it to electoral services by post or by hand.

Unlike a postal vote you must have a reason for applying for a proxy vote, such as:

• Working away
• Studying at university
• Illness

You will need to nominate your proxy on the form.

You need to get the form to us more than six working days before polling day. The deadline to change or cancel an existing proxy application is by 11 working days before polling day.

Apply for postal or proxy votes

To find out if you are registered under Individual Electoral Registration for postal or proxy votes, please contact the Electoral Registration Office.

If you wish to request a postal or proxy vote application form please use our online form:

Request a postal or proxy vote application form

Medical emergencies

If you fall ill after 5pm on the closing date to apply for a proxy and are not able to go to the polling station on polling day you can apply for an emergency proxy. You must be registered under Individual Electoral Registration first. You will need to contact electoral services to see if you qualify.

Your application will need to be signed by your medical attendant and be returned to us by 5pm on polling day.

Arranging a postal proxy

If you have appointed someone to act as your proxy and they live outside the area or cannot get to the polling station, the proxy voter can apply for a postal proxy vote. They must be registered under Individual Electoral Registration first.

Waiver

If you are unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature due to a disability or illness for a postal or proxy application, then you may apply for a Waiver application and it must be signed by a witness.