A proxy vote is when you give permission to someone to cast a vote on your behalf. Some people can apply for a permanent proxy vote, for example those who have a permanent disability, or who are likely to be away from home regularly for work or educational reasons.
If you are only temporarily unable to attend your polling station (examples include holiday, business, attending a hospital appointment on election day) there is a specific form you can complete for the next election - this may be shown as the 'holiday reason' option.
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on the sixth working day before an election.
Proxy vote applications in the old format that are returned after 30 October 2023 will not meet the requirements of the new legislation and a new online application will need to be made.
Since 31 October 2023 there have been changes to voting by proxy and applying to vote by proxy.
To find out more: Changes to proxy voting | Electoral Commission
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