Voting
Absent Voting
Absent voting lets you vote in an election even if you cannot get to the polling station - for example, you might be at work or on holiday on polling day, or you might have a medical condition or disability which means you will find it hard to get to the polling station.
There are two types of absent voting - postal voting and proxy voting.
If you vote by post, your ballot paper will be sent to you and you will fill it in and send it back by post.
If you vote by proxy, someone you trust will vote for you.
From 1 November 2023, if you are applying for an absent vote, you will need to provide proof of your identity. An online system has been set up which lets you apply for an absent vote online.
Postal voting
If you vote by post, you will have to apply again every three years. Currently you must refresh your signature every five years.
Political parties and campaigners will be banned from handling postal votes.
If you are handing in postal votes at a polling station, you will only be allowed to hand in a maximum number.
To apply for a postal vote, please click on the link www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Proxy voting
You will only be able to act as a proxy for up to four people. Of these, the maximum number who can be 'domestic electors' (voters living in the UK) is two.
The rules on secrecy and who can handle postal votes came into force this year.
The change to the three-yearly application process will be transitional (in other words, it will not affect everyone all at once), starting from January 2024.
To apply for a proxy vote, please click on the link www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote