Apply to vote by proxy

A proxy vote is when you choose someone to vote for you when you are not able to vote go to the polling station yourself. Unlike a postal vote you must give a reason why you need to vote by proxy. Proxy votes can be arranged for an indefinite period, or for a single election.

Proxy votes for an indefinite period

When applying for a proxy vote for a single election you can apply for a proxy vote for an indefinite period because of a permanent physical disability, illness or:

• you are blind or otherwise physically incapacitated
• you or your spouse would be prevented from voting in person due to work or if you are studying at college or university

Applications for an indefinite period must be supported by a doctor, employer or course tutor, depending on the reason why you are applying.

Proxy vote for a single election

You still need to give a reason why you cannot vote in person at your polling station, for example if you are on holiday when the election is taking place. However applications for a single election do not need to be supported by another person.

For the security of your proxy vote by law all applicants are required to give their signature and date of birth. Without these, your application will not be allowed.

If you are unable to provide a signature, or you are unable to sign in a consistent or distinctive way because of any disability, or you are unable to read or write, the registration officer, in these circumstances, may grant you a waiver, which will mean you will not be required to provide a signature. However, you will still be required to give your date of birth.

The forms for arranging a proxy vote for an indefinite period and single election can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

Deadline for proxy vote applications

The deadline to apply for new proxy votes is 5pm, 6 working days before an election.

All completed forms can be:

• returned by hand or post to the Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1DE
• scanned and emailed to electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk

How the proxy votes

The proxy either casts the proxy vote at the elector’s polling station, or they can apply to cast the proxy vote by post. The application for a proxy to vote by post form can be downloaded below. The deadline for a proxy to arrange to vote by post is 5pm, 11 working days before an election (this is a different deadline to that for the elector to apply for a proxy vote).