Postal and proxy voting

You can choose to vote by post or appoint someone to vote on your behalf (proxy voting) instead of voting at a polling station.

Postal voting

Apply online for a postal voteOpens in new tab or contact the Elections team for a paper form. Your application must arrive at least 11 working days before an election. A postal vote remains valid for three years, we'll contact you when you need to renew.

Apply for a postal voteOpens in new tab

How postal voting works

We send your postal vote pack about 10 days before the election.
Complete your ballot paper in private.
Complete your date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement.
Follow the instructions in your pack, ensuring you enclose everything in the envelopes provided.
Your vote must arrive by 10pm on election day to be counted. You can hand in your postal vote at Council House Reception, or at a polling station on election day.

Your postal vote can be sent to an address different to your registration address. If you're temporarily abroad please apply early to allow extra time for delivery, or alternatively consider voting by proxy if possible.

Problems with your postal vote?

If you:

haven't received your postal vote by four working days before the election
lose or damage your postal vote

Contact us immediately, we can cancel and reissue your postal vote up to 5pm on election day.

If you make a mistake on the ballot paper or statement you can correct the mistake (for example, by scribbling out an incorrect cross and putting a cross in the correct box). As long as your intention is clear your vote will be counted. Please do not initial corrections as this will cause your vote to be rejected.

Proxy voting

Apply online for a proxy voteOpens in new tab or download a paper form. Applications must arrive at least 6 working days before an election.

Apply of a proxy voteOpens in new tab

Application forms

To apply for a proxy for a specific election, please download and complete the application to vote by proxy for a particular election.

To apply for a permanent or long-term proxy vote, please complete the relevant application form:

Who can be a proxy?

Your proxy must be:

registered to vote
able to vote in the election
willing to vote on your behalf

A proxy can act as proxy for up to four people total - with a maximum of two domestic voters and two overseas voters.

How proxy voting works

Your proxy votes at your assigned polling station.
They must show their own photo ID.
They vote according to your wishes.
They can also apply to vote by post on your behalf.

Emergency proxy votes

Apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on election day if, after the deadline for ordinary proxy votes:

you have a medical emergency
you are away for work at short notice
your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged after the deadline; to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed and you want to vote in an election which requires photo ID. This form can also be used if your Anonymous Elector's document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged

Changing or cancelling arrangements

You can cancel your proxy vote arrangement at any time until 11 working days before an election.

Change your proxy by submitting a new application. Please contact the Elections team to cancel your proxy voting arrangement and return to voting in person.

Keeping your vote secure

Your vote is yours alone. No one has the right to intimidate you, bribe you, or use your vote without your consent. Actions like these are considered electoral fraud, which is a serious crime that undermines democracy. Offenders can face severe penalties, including imprisonment.

If you suspect electoral fraud, you can report it through our website or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Complete your ballot paper in private.
Don't let anyone pressure you about how to vote.
Never give blank postal votes to anyone.
Report concerns about electoral fraud to the police.