Apply for a postal or proxy vote

Apply for a postal or proxy vote

Postal voting

The deadline to apply for a new postal vote or to make changes to an existing postal vote for the election on 1 May 2025 is 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025. You must also be registered to vote by Friday 11 April 2025.

As long as you have registered to vote and are on the electoral register you can apply for a postal vote – this means you don’t need to visit your polling station in person. 

You can apply online to vote by post and need to prove your identity when applying. You also need to reapply for a postal vote every three years

Where can my postal vote be sent?

It can be sent to either your home address or any other address that you choose.  Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you must consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper by election day. If you are considering having your vote sent abroad, you may wish to consider voting by proxy.

When will I receive my postal vote?

Postal votes are usually sent out two weeks before election day.  When you have received it, follow the instructions and make sure you return it so that it arrives before the poll closes, usually 10pm on election day.  If it arrives later than this your vote will not be counted.

When you vote:

• complete your ballot paper in secret, on your own
• don't let anyone else vote for you
• don't let anyone else see your vote
• don't give the ballot paper to anyone else
• put the ballot paper in the envelope and seal it up yourself
• complete and sign the postal voting statement
• put the postal voting statement and the envelope containing your ballot paper into the larger envelope and seal it

How to return your vote

Take it to the post box yourself, if you can.  If you can't do that, give it to somebody you know and trust to post it for you.  Do not hand it to a candidate or party worker because it is an offence for campaigners, candidates and party workers to handle the postal votes of anyone who is not a close relative or someone they provide care for.  Don't leave it where someone else can pick it up. You can take it to your local council office.

Proxy voting

You must be registered to vote by Friday 11 April 2025.  The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the election on 1May 2025 is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. 

Voting by proxy is an easy way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station.  'By proxy' means that you can appoint someone that you trust to vote on your behalf.

You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you have registered to vote. When you apply for a proxy vote you must provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:

• you are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example if you are away on holiday
• you have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
• your employment means that you are unable to go to the polling station on election day
• you are attending an educational course on election day and unable to get to the polling station
• you are a British Citizen living overseas
• you are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Services

With the exception of being registered blind, you may have to get someone to support your application to confirm that your reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid. 

Who can vote on my behalf?

Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in the election and are registered to vote themselves. You cannot be a proxy for more than two people based in the UK at any one election.

Emergency proxy

If you find out after the deadline to apply for a proxy vote that you cannot get to the polling station in person, then you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy. Each application will need to be supported by a relevant person.

You can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day.

Further information on the different ways you can vote can be found on The Electoral Commission website.