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Voting by proxy

Voting by proxy is where you nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You may wish to do this if you are going to be away on polling day and voting by post is not a suitable option.

Your nominated proxy has to vote at your normal polling station so you must make sure that they are available on polling day.

If you will be on holiday or out of the country, we would strongly recommend that you nominate a proxy.

  

Application form to vote by proxy - The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for any upcoming elections is no later than 5pm 6 working days before the date of poll.

 

You must print out the application and complete by hand. Then scan this back to elections@stroud.gov.uk or post to the address below. We cannot accept a form with an electronic signature.

 

Emergency Proxy

Emergency Proxy deadline - 5pm on the day of poll

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy, to allow someone you trust to vote on your behalf at your polling station. This must be due to reasons that you weren't aware of before the proxy deadline.

You may be able to request an emergency proxy if one of the following applies:

- You have a medical emergency

- You are away for work

- Voter ID

Please contact us to request a copy of the specific emergency proxy form that you require by emailing us at elections@stroud.gov.uk or phoning 01453 74886. The completed application form needs to be returned by 5pm on the day of poll.

 

 

Anyone who is registered can apply for a proxy 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 cannot go to the polling station on election day
  • your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
  • you are a British citizen living overseas
  • you are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces

The person you wish to appoint as your proxy can only act as proxy if they are 18 or over and they are (or will be) registered for that election or referendum.

A person cannot be a proxy for more than two people at any one election or referendum, unless they are a close relative.

If you have been appointed as someone’s proxy, this means you can cast their vote on their behalf.

You can only be a proxy for close relatives (defined as your spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild) and up to two other people.

You can only act as proxy if you are 18 or over (16 or over in Scotland at Scottish Parliamentary and local council elections) and you are (or will be) registered for that election or referendum.

The person who appointed you will tell you how they want you to vote on their behalf, for example, which candidate, party, or outcome.

How to vote as someone’s proxy

You must go to the polling station of the person who appointed you as their proxy.  If you can’t go to their polling station, you can apply to vote for them by post up to 5pm, 11 working days before the poll

You will receive a proxy poll card telling you where and when to cast their vote for them.

If you don’t receive a proxy poll card, you should check with the local council of the person who has appointed you as their proxy. They will  be able to tell you where to go to vote.

The person who appointed you as their proxy may still vote in person, provided they do so before you have voted for them, or you have not applied to vote for them by post

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