Getting someone to vote for you (proxy)
You can apply for someone to vote on your behalf. This person is called a proxy.
You can get someone to vote for you if you're already registered to vote and you:
- are blind or otherwise physically incapacitated
- or your spouse would be prevented from voting in person due to work or if you are studying at college or university
- are abroad on holiday.
The person you appoint must be:
- someone you trust to vote the way you want to
- registered to vote in the election
- aged 18 or over.
A person cannot vote on the behalf of more than two people at any one time, unless they are a close relative.
Apply for someone to vote on your behalf
The national deadline to apply is 5pm, 6 working days before an election.
To apply for a proxy vote:
- complete the Proxy Vote Application Form
- upload it to apply for someone to vote on your behalf, or post to Electoral Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR.
Carefully read the notes that accompany the application form to find out if you need to get someone to support your application and who can do it.
If you're already registered to vote by post and want to change to someone voting on your behalf, you will need to cancel your postal vote first.
If you change address you will need to make a new application to appoint a proxy. Your voting preference will not be carried forward to your new address.
Voting by post
If the person voting on your behalf can't attend your polling station in person on election day, they can apply to vote by post. You first need to appoint them as your proxy.
This application must be received no later than 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
What we do with your information
The law requires that we provide the details of those who have appointed a proxy or chosen to vote by post to registered political parties, elected representatives and candidates in elections. There is no provision for you to withdraw your consent for this without cancelling your proxy or postal vote arrangement.
We will only use the contact details you provide to speak to you about your application. These details are not provided to anyone else.
Cancel someone voting on your behalf
If someone is voting on your behalf and you want to cancel this in time for an election, you will need to do so no later than 11 working days before the election.
Cancel someone voting on your behalf
All cancellations are acknowledged and confirmed to both you and the person who was going to vote on your behalf.