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Electoral Registration

Voting by Post or by Proxy

The Electoral Registration Officer also maintains a list of people who are entitled to vote by post or by proxy. This is known as the Absent Voters' List.

Postal voting is available to anyone, whatever the circumstances. See "related downloads" for a list of forms from which you may select a postal voting application form. Please note that the form must be printed out, completed and signed, and then posted or delivered to the ERO.

Please consider when applying for a postal vote the timing of the postal ballot paper issue.  For example, if you are applying because you will be on holiday on Polling Day you will also need to consider if you will be at your home address to receive your postal ballot paper.  Nominating a proxy may be a better option if you are applying close to the deadline.

Long-term proxy voting is available to people who cannot reasonably be expected to attend their polling station at elections because:

  • they suffer from a physical incapacity, or
  • their employment duties take them away from home, or
  • their attendance on a course of study takes them away from home.

For more information and to download a permanent proxy application, please go to the Electoral Commission website at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/apply-vote-proxy

Temporary proxy voting is available to people who cannot reasonably be expected to attend their polling station at elections because they will be away from home temporarily on the date of the election.

An elector's nominated proxy must be individually registered or they cannot vote on the elector's behalf.

Following a change in the law, which came into force on 8 February 2008, electors who wish to vote by post or by proxy are now required to provide their date of birth and a specimen of their signature.

Your personal identifiers will be stored securely. Each time you vote by post, your signature and date of birth provided on the postal voting statement may be checked by the Returning Officer against these identifiers, to ensure your postal vote remains secure.