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Voting by proxy

Voting by proxy

If you are unable to vote in person at your polling station, you can nominate someone else to cast your vote on your behalf. This person then becomes your 'proxy'. They'll be able to go to your allocated polling station in Gosport (between 7am and 10pm on polling day) and vote for you, or they can apply to vote as a proxy by post. 

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

You must be registered to vote in order to 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.

You need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house or changed your name.


Choosing a proxy

The person you appoint as your proxy must be:

  • over 18 years old
  • registered to vote in the UK
  • eligible to vote at the type of election in which you are voting
  • in possession of a valid form of photographic ID
  • able to go to your polling station to vote for you, even if it is a different polling station from their own, or apply for a postal proxy vote

A person can be appointed as a proxy for a maximum of four electors, of which no more than two can be based in the U.K. 


Apply to vote by proxy

You can apply online for a proxy vote if:

  • You want to appoint a proxy for a specific election
  • You are a registered overseas or service voter 

Click here to apply online for a proxy vote.

If you require an ongoing proxy for any other reason, for example due to a disability, your employment or education, you need to complete a paper application form. This is because you need to get a qualified person to support your application and sign your form. The list of people who can sign your form is included on the application form. 

You can download the form you need from here, or contact Electoral Services for a form to be posted to you.  

Once completed, you can scan the application and email it back to us at electoral.registration@gosport.gov.uk.  Alternatively, it can be posted to Electoral Services, Gosport Borough Council, Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, PO12 1EB, or handed into the Town Hall.


Postal proxy

If your proxy cannot get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called 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 valid proxy application containing the elector's signature and date of birth, and
  • A valid postal proxy application containing the proxy's signature and date of birth

If your nominated proxy needs a postal proxy application form, contact Electoral Services


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.

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

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