Vote by post or proxy

If voting in person at a polling station is not suitable, you can vote by post or nominate another person to vote for you by proxy.

On this page:

Postal vote

You can apply to vote by post for a specific election or for all future elections. We do not need to know why you want to vote by post.

Download the postal vote application form below.

Postal vote application form (PDF) [141KB] (opens new window)

Print and complete the form, and send it to the Electoral Registration Office.

We are also able to accept completed and scanned forms. You can send these via email to electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk.

Once your application is processed, confirmation will be sent to you.

You cannot vote in person if you have applied to vote by post.

Your ballot paper may not arrive until about a week before election day. You need to consider whether there is enough time to receive and return your ballot paper before voting closes. Ballot papers that arrive after this time will not be counted.

If this is not convenient, a proxy vote might suit you better.

Proxy vote

Your nominated proxy will need to have their own photographic ID with them when they visit the polling station, for more see Voter ID - Bring photo ID to vote

Appointing a proxy means you choose someone else to vote on your behalf. This person then goes to a polling station and casts your vote for you.

This person must be able to attend the polling station where you normally go to vote. If you need to appoint a proxy from outside of your local area, contact the Electoral Registration Office.

If you have already appointed a proxy but then decide to vote in person, you can do so provided your proxy has not already voted for you.

The person you nominate as your proxy must be:

registered to vote
at least 18 years old
eligible to vote at that type of election
not disqualified from voting.

You would usually appoint a one-off proxy for a specific election, but in some circumstances you can appoint a permanent proxy for all future elections.

One-off proxy

Anyone can appoint a one-off proxy to vote on their behalf for an election on a specific date.

Download the one-off proxy vote application form below.

One-off proxy vote application form (PDF) [47KB] (opens new window)

Print and complete the form, and send it to the Electoral Registration Office.

We are also able to accept completed and scanned forms via email to electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk.

Once your application has been processed, confirmation will be sent to both you and your proxy.

Permanent proxy

You may be able to appoint a proxy for all elections in the future. This is dependent on your circumstances, for example:

you have a disability
your occupation or study prevents you from attending your polling station
you are a member of the armed forces
you are an overseas voter.

To appoint a permanent proxy, download the permanent proxy vote application form below.

Permanent proxy vote application form (PDF) [180KB] (opens new window)

Print and complete the form, and send it to the Electoral Registration Office. You will need to provide a signed declaration which you will find at the back of the form.

We are also able to accept completed and scanned forms via email to electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk.

Once your application has been processed, confirmation will be sent to both you and your proxy.

Emergency proxy

If the proxy vote deadline has passed you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if any of the following apply:

you cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency or disability
you cannot vote in person because of your employment
the photo ID you were planning on using to vote has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
you've not yet received a new or replacement photo ID you've ordered

You have until 5pm on the day of the election to apply.

Fill in a paper form to:

Then send to electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk.

Help with signing

You must sign your application form yourself. No-one else may sign it for you.

If you find it difficult to sign your name consistently, for example if you have a disability, download the proxy and postal waiver application form below.

Proxy and postal waiver application form (PDF) [22KB] (opens new window)

Print and complete this form. Send both this and your postal or proxy vote application form to the Electoral Registration Office.

Overseas voters

If you're an overseas voter, you will need to include the address where you were last registered to vote in the UK on the application form.

There is a section on the form for your correspondence address. Include your overseas address in this section.

Find out how register to vote if you are a member of HM Armed Forces or living overseas.

Electoral Registration Office

Send all completed forms to the address below.

Electoral Services
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA

Email: electoralservices@nfdc.gov.uk

Phone: 023 8028 5445