Voting by proxy
You can appoint someone to vote on your behalf – this person is called a proxy.
The proxy should be someone you trust to vote the way you ask them to. The proxy must be registered to vote in this country and be eligible to vote in the type of election you are voting in.
They can either vote at your designated polling station or by post.
Before you appoint a proxy you must first register to vote by proxy. You can do this online on the GOV.UK website.
GOV.UK: apply for a proxy vote
You can also download and print (paper) application forms from the GOV.UK website.
You should apply as soon as you can. We must receive all new applications by 5pm, 6 working days before the election.
After we receive your application, we will send:
- a letter to you confirming the appointment
- a letter to your proxy confirming the appointment
- a letter to your proxy giving them instructions
Voting by proxy for a particular election
When you register to vote by proxy, you need to give a reason why you can't vote in person. Acceptable reasons include the following:
- you are physically incapable of getting to your polling station due to a medical condition
- your job or an educational course prevents you from voting in person at the polling station
- attending the polling station would involve a journey by air or sea
If you are able to vote in person on the day of the election, you can still do so as long as your proxy has not already voted on your behalf.
Voting by proxy for more than one election
If you want to appoint a proxy for more than one election, you need to give a reason why you can't vote in person. Acceptable reasons include:
- you are blind or have another disability
- your job or an educational course prevents you from voting in person
- you are registered as a service voter
- you are registered as an overseas voter
- you are registered as an anonymous elector
- you have to travel by sea or sea to get to the polling station
Proxy postal voting
If your appointed proxy cannot attend your designated polling station on polling day, they can apply in advance to vote by post.
They can contact us using our online contact form to request a paper postal proxy application form.
Your appointed proxy should complete and return the application form as soon as they can. We must receive all new applications by 5pm, 11 working days before the election.
We will send the postal vote to the proxy with instructions on how to vote.
When your proxy has registered for a proxy postal vote:
- you cannot vote at the polling station
- your proxy cannot vote at the polling station
- you or your proxy can hand your sealed postal vote into the polling station in your ward or at the Civic Offices. A short form will need to be completed when handing your postal vote
Emergency proxy for an election
You may become unwell or face unexpected work commitments after the deadline for applying for a proxy vote.
If this stops you from attending the polling station on polling day, you can appoint an emergency proxy to vote for you.
You need to complete a paper application form.
You will need a doctor or employer to support your application.
Make an application for emergency proxy
You first need to print the application form:
- Emergency proxy application for voters that have had a medical emergency (PDF)
- Emergency proxy application for voters who cannot vote in person due to work commitments (PDF)
Then send your application form either:
- by email to electoral.services@thurrock.gov.uk (as a scanned copy or a photograph, but please ensure the image is legible)
- by post or in person to:
Electoral Services
Thurrock Council
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
RM17 6SL
Emergency proxy vote deadline
We must receive your emergency proxy vote application by 5pm on polling day. You cannot take your application to your polling station on polling day, as polling station staff cannot process emergency proxy vote applications.