You can now apply for a proxy vote online using the government's new application service. You will need to provide your National Insurance number when you make the application.
You can apply for someone to vote for you, called a ‘proxy’. Your proxy then votes at your local polling station, or they can ask to vote for you by post.
If you want to vote by proxy the law says you have to give us a reason why you cannot vote in person. You can apply for one election only, or for a longer term.
Long-term applications usually have to be supported by a doctor, employer or course tutor, depending on the reason why you are applying.
If you have a medical emergency immediately before election day you can apply for an emergency proxy vote, however this must be supported by a health professional.
Photo ID
If you nominate a proxy, the person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to show their own photo ID to cast your vote. They will not need to show your ID.
Acceptable forms of photographic Voter ID the person you have nominated to cast your proxy vote will include:
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
- Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
- Biometric immigration document
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Blue Badge
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Older Person’s Bus Pass
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate
If their ID has expired it will still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of them.
