What is voting by proxy?
Who can apply to vote by proxy?
Who can be my proxy?
How can I apply to vote by proxy?
What should I do if I move house or change my name?
If I want to get a proxy vote in time for a forthcoming election, what is the deadline for submitting an application?
How can my proxy cast my vote?
If I have a proxy vote, can I still vote in person if I want to?
How do I change or cancel my proxy vote?
The deadline for applications for a proxy vote has passed. Am I out of options?
What is voting by proxy?
Voting by proxy is when you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf.
Who can apply to vote by proxy?
Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to vote by proxy at a single election. You will, however, need to provide a reason why you cannot attend the polling station (e.g. you will be on holiday).
The following electors can also appoint a long-term proxy for either a definite or indefinite period:
• overseas electors (i.e. British citizens living abroad)
• service voters (i.e. armed forces personnel / British Council employees / crown servants based overseas)
• anonymous electors
• electors unable to attend the polling station:
- due to disability;
- due to employment; and
- due to attendance on an educational course.
Long-term proxy voting arrangements are subject to a three-yearly eligibility check and a five-yearly signature refresh.
Who can be my proxy?
Someone can be your proxy if they are:
• 18 or over;
• registered to vote; and
• eligible to vote in the elections in which you wish them to vote on your behalf.
At the same election, someone can only be a proxy for two people based in the UK. If they are acting as proxy for people living overseas, they can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.
How can I apply to vote by proxy?
You can apply online for a proxy vote:
• for a single election; or
• for a definite or indefinite period for an overseas elector or service voter.
You can also apply for these types of proxy vote by completing a paper application form.
For all other types of proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period, you can only apply by completing a paper application form.
If you can’t print the form, please contact the Electoral Services team at the Council and we will be happy to send one in the post.
Completed application forms should be posted or emailed to the Electoral Services team.
What should I do if I move house or change my name?
Please refer to the relevant questions on the Registering to vote webpage.
If I want to get a proxy vote in time for a forthcoming election, what is the deadline for submitting an application?
In order to take effect for a forthcoming election, applications for a proxy vote must be received by 5pm six working days before the date of that election (unless you are changing from a postal vote to a proxy vote in which case the application must be received by 5pm eleven working days before the date of that election).
How can my proxy cast my vote?
Your proxy can either vote in person at your designated polling station or they can apply to vote for you by post.
If your proxy votes in person at the polling station, they will need to show their photo ID (not yours).
If your proxy wishes to vote for you by post, please ask them to contact the Electoral Services team so the necessary paperwork can be completed. The deadline for a postal voting application from a proxy is the same as for a standard postal voting application (i.e. 5pm eleven working days before an election).
If I have a proxy vote, can I still vote in person if I want to?
You can still vote in person at the polling station but only if:
• your proxy has not already voted for you at the polling station; and
• your proxy has not requested a postal vote on your behalf.
How do I change or cancel my proxy vote?
Please contact the Electoral Services team if you would like to change or cancel your proxy vote.
If you want to change or cancel your proxy vote in time for a forthcoming election, the deadline for doing so is 5pm eleven working days before the date of that election.
Please be aware, however, that you can submit a new proxy voting application until 5pm six working days before the date of an election. If you submit a new application, it will automatically replace the old one.
The deadline for applications for a proxy vote has passed. Am I out of options?
An elector may appoint an emergency proxy at an election up to 5pm on polling day in the following circumstances:
• in the case of a medical condition, illness or disability arising after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications;
• if their occupation, service or employment means they cannot go to the polling station in person and they became aware of this after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications;
• if they meet any of the conditions relating to emergency proxies on the grounds of voter identification (e.g. the accepted photo ID you were intending to use has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed after the deadline for making an application for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed, or has not yet been received if applied for recently); and
• if they are a mental health patient detained under civil powers.
Please contact the Electoral Services team if you would like to discuss the option of appointing an emergency proxy.
Electoral Services
Council of the Isles of Scilly
Town Hall
St Mary's
Isles of Scilly
TR21 0LW
T: 01720 424545
E: elections@scilly.gov.uk