If you will not be able to get to your polling station on election day, you can apply for a postal vote. You can also nominate someone, known as your proxy, to cast your vote for you.

You must be registered to vote before you can apply to vote by post or proxy.

You can email us a clear scanned copy of your application form. If you prefer, you can post it to us. You can mark it ‘Freepost RSUL-CZRU-TCYC’, in which case it will travel by second-class post – attach a first-class stamp if you want it to arrive quicker.

Our email and address details are at the bottom of this page.

Jump to: Vote by proxy

Vote by post

• You can apply to vote by post online – you will need to be able to upload your signature.
• You can download and print an application form from the Electoral Commission website.
• You can email or call us to have an application form posted to you.

Postal votes can be:

• permanent (but must be renewed at least every three years)
• for a specific period of time
• for a particular election

You don't need to give a reason for applying, unless you want us to send your ballot paper to somewhere other than your registered address.

• Postal ballot papers are sent out about two weeks before an election. 
• You will get instructions on how to complete your postal vote, as well as a prepaid envelope to return the ballot paper in (for UK addresses only).
• Only postal votes received by 10pm on election day can be counted, so you will need to make sure you post your vote back in good time. 
• You can also hand deliver your postal vote. New rules mean that when you hand deliver, you can only hand in a maximum of five plus your own, and you will be asked to complete a form. If you leave without completing the form, we will not be able to accept the votes. You can either: 
  • hand in to our offices at Mandela House, 4 Regent Street during its opening hours. Please do not put completed postal votes in the post box as new rules mean we will not be able to accept them. Or,
  • on election day, hand in to any polling station in your ward.

Although we can send ballot papers to addresses outside the UK, you should bear in mind the length of time taken for post to travel in either direction. Postal votes going outside of the UK are sent by air mail, but you will need to pay the return postage. We advise that you appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf as, while we make every effort to get your postal vote issued in good time, we cannot guarantee that it will reach you and be returned in time to be counted.

If you cannot give a signature on the application form because you find it difficult to sign your name the same each time, contact us about applying for a postal vote waiver.

Vote by proxy

• You can apply to vote by proxy online – you will need to be able to upload your signature
• You can download and print an application form from the Electoral Commission website
• You can email or call us to have an application form posted to you

The person that you appoint as your proxy must be registered to vote and be eligible to vote in the election you are asking them to vote in.

A person cannot vote as proxy for more than four voters. Only two of these can be domestic voters, meaning they live in the UK. This means you could be a proxy for a maximum of two domestic voters and two overseas voters, or a maximum of four overseas voters.

Anyone can have a temporary proxy vote, but it will only last for one election. Permanent proxy voting is restricted and you can only apply if:

• you have a physical incapacity
• you are registered blind
• your employment or education makes it difficult for you to attend the polling station
• you’re registered as an overseas elector

If your proxy cannot go to your allocated polling station on election day they can apply to receive your vote by post, but both your proxy and their postal application must be received before the deadline to vote by post in any election.

Contact us for more information about proxy voting by post.