Voting by proxy

If you are unable to vote in person at your polling station, you can ask someone else to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.

You must be registered to vote in order to apply to vote by proxy.

If you appoint a proxy, the person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to go to your allocated polling station in Wandsworth (between 7am and 10pm on polling day) to cast your vote or apply to vote by post as your proxy.

If they vote in person at your polling station, they will need to show their own photo ID. See Voter ID for further information.

Apply to vote by proxy

When applying for a new proxy vote, we must receive your application by 5pm, six working days before polling day. When changing or cancelling an existing postal or postal proxy vote, we must receive your application by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.

To apply online go to GOV.UK. The government portal is a secure site - the information required is:

• Full name
• Address including postcode
• National Insurance number
• Date of birth
• Handwritten signature

The person who can act as your proxy:

• Must be registered and eligible to vote in the type of election in which you are voting
• Can’t vote as proxy on behalf of more than:
  • Two people, registered in the UK, or
  • Four people (two registered overseas, two registered in the UK)

The following proxy applications are available to complete online:

• Proxy application for a particular election
• Proxy applications for a definite or indefinite period for overseas and service voters

View easy read guidance about voting by proxy.

Complete a paper application form

You can also download and complete paper application forms if you prefer or if you require an ongoing proxy due to disability, employment or education as you cannot apply online for these applications.

New rules from 31 October 2023

There are new rules regarding the proxy application process.

These rules were introduced by the Elections Act 2022. You must now provide your National Insurance Number when applying to vote by proxy as we must now verify an applicant's identity.

Any applications received from 31 October 2023 that do not provide a National Insurance Number will be rejected and you will need to reapply providing the required information.

Postal proxy

A postal proxy vote is where an appointed proxy is able to vote on an elector’s behalf without having to visit the elector’s allocated polling station.

Apply for a postal proxy vote

A postal proxy arrangement can only be put in place if the following applications reach us by 5pm, 11 working days before an election:

• A proxy application containing the elector’s signature and date of birth, and
• A postal proxy application containing the proxy’s signature and date of birth

All applications must contain a handwritten signature (typed signatures will not be accepted).

If the signature on the postal proxy application does not match the one provided on the postal proxy voting statement at the time of voting, the ballot papers will be rejected.

Emergency proxy

You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy in the following situations (it must be something that you became aware of after the normal proxy deadline has passed, ie 5pm, six working days before polling day):

• If you have had a medical emergency that means that you cannot vote in person at your polling station
• If you are not able to go to the polling station in person for reasons relating to your occupation, service or employment
• If the photo ID you intended to use becomes unavailable and you do not have a different form of accepted photo ID you can use
• If you need to change an existing proxy because the photo ID your proxy intended to use becomes unavailable and they do not have a different form of accepted photo ID they can use

Emergency proxy applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

Emergency proxy application forms can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website.

Note:

• You cannot vote by emergency proxy if you have a postal vote arrangement in place 

Submitting application forms

Completed application forms can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• By email to electoral@wandsworth.gov.uk
• By post, or
• In person at the Customer Centre at the Town Hall (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm excluding Bank Holidays)

Please contact Electoral Services if you have any queries.

Easy read guidance

View easy read guidance about voting by proxy produced by My Vote My Voice.