Vote by proxy

When you vote by proxy, you appoint someone that you trust to vote on your behalf.

The person that you appoint can choose to cast your vote in person, or by post.

Please note that if a proxy voter wants to cast your vote in person, they will need to attend your appointed polling station.

Anyone can be a proxy voter - so long as they are eligible to vote, and are willing to vote for you.

A proxy voter cannot vote for more than two people at one election (unless the person they are voting for is a close relative).

Voting by proxy means appointing a trusted friend or relative to carry out your vote on your behalf.

Usually the proxy will go to your allocated polling station to cast your vote for you in person, but they can apply to receive your vote through the post for them to complete if this is preferred (as long as they apply for this by the relevant deadline for each election).

Applying to vote by proxy as a one-off arrangement for a specific election date is available to everyone, providing there is a valid reason.

We can also register you for proxy voting valid for a three-year period (subject to legal requirements) if:

• You regularly work away
• You are a student studying away from home
• You find it physically difficult to attend the polling station

Apply for a proxy

Emergency proxy votes

You can apply for a proxy vote less than six working days before polling day (and up until 5pm on the day), under some emergency circumstances:

1. In the case where a medical condition, illness or disability has arisen less than six days before polling day
2. In the case where the voter is a mental health patient, who has been detained under civil powers
3. In the case where the voter's occupation causes them not to be able to vote in person - and they became aware of this less than six working days before the poll

Advantages of voting by proxy

Voting by proxy can make it easier for people to vote. It may benefit you if:

• you are not able to get to your appointed polling station on polling day
• you are not well, and won't be able to vote in person on polling day
• you are overseas

Refreshing signatures of absent voters

Each January, we send a written notice to every absent voter (postal and proxy voters) who has not updated their signature for more than five years. This notice will ask you to confirm your date of birth, and provide an up-to-date signature.

We will use this information to replace the information you provided when you originally applied to be an absent voter.

You can also use the notice to cancel your absent vote, if you no longer need it.

If you do not reply to the written notice, we will send you a reminder notice.

If you do not reply to the reminder notice, we will cancel your absent vote. You will have to vote in person, at a polling station.

How we use your information

We collect your personal information for the following purposes:

• to carry out our statutory obligation of ensuring that all eligible persons in Babergh and Mid Suffolk are registered to vote
• to enable eligible persons to stand as candidates in elections, in accordance with statutory requirements
• to enable all registered electors to participate as voters in elections and referendums

Please read our Privacy notice for electoral registration and elections for more information.