Voting in Elections

Voting by Proxy 

If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.

You can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including:

  • being away on polling day
  • having a medical issue or disability
  • not being able to vote in person because of work or military service
  • you have lost your photographic identification after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (from May 2023 onwards)

How to apply for a proxy vote

Apply online to vote by proxy

In order to apply to vote by post, you can apply online at the link shown above.  If you are not able to complete the online application, you can download and complete an application form (pdf, 83kb). 

Once completed, you can scan the application and email it back to us as postal.voting@testvalley.gov.uk.  Alternatively, it can be returned to the address shown at the top of the form, or handed into either our Andover or Romsey office.

An easy read guide on applying to vote by proxy can be found here (pdf, 1.9mb).

Usually, you need to apply for a proxy vote at least 6 working days before election day if you want to vote.

How long your proxy vote is for

You can apply to vote by proxy:

  • for a single election on a specific date
  • for a specific period - although your application may need to be supported
  • permanently - although your application may need to be supported

Who can act as a proxy

You can ask anyone to act as your proxy - as long as they:

  • are registered to vote
  • are allowed to vote in the type of election taking place
  • can vote in the polling station stated on your poll card

Your proxy will need to show their photographic identification at the polling station before they are able to cast the vote on your behalf (from May 2023 onwards).

If they cannot get to your polling station, they will need to contact us to arrange to cast their proxy vote by post.

Change or cancel your proxy vote

To change who acts as your proxy or to start voting in person, contact us on postal.voting@testvalley.gov.uk.