Proxy Voting
What is Proxy Voting?
Proxy voting enables you to appoint a person to vote on your
behalf. The appointed person can vote on your behalf in two
ways; by going to the polling station itself or by voting
by post known as a "postal proxy".
Who can apply for a proxy vote?
Proxy voting is not on demand and therefore a reason must be given
as to why an elector needs to appoint a proxy. You can have a
proxy vote if you are registered blind, if you receive the higher
rate of Disability Living Allowance, or there are circumstances
resulting in you being unable to go to the polling station at a
particular election (e.g. you will be away on holiday at the time
of election).
You can also have a proxy vote for the following reasons, which are
usually long term and generally require attestation:
Physical incapacity; the application must be supported by a
registered medical practitioner, registered nurse or Christian
Science practitioner providing that the person is giving
you care or treatment. If you are in a residential home or
sheltered housing then the head of the home or warden can support
your application.
Occupation, service or employment; the
application must be supported by your employer. If you are
self-employed the person supporting your application must be 18 or
over, must know your circumstances and must not be related to
you.
Emergency proxy applications - due to incapacity; if you are taken
ill after the closing time and date for the applications to vote by
proxy you can now apply until 5.00pm on election day. Please
contact the Electoral Services office for an application
form.
Who can I appointed as a proxy?
The person you appoint as your proxy must be registered as an
elector and must also be able to vote in the type of election
concerned, irrespective of whether they are currently registered as
an elector. A proxy may not vote at the same election for
more than two people unless they are a close relative (husband,
wife, parent, grandparent, brother, sister or grandchild) of the
people they are voting for.
Changes to Proxy Voting
Like the new Postal Voting arrangements, proxy voters now also need
to provide personal identifiers. When filling in the
application a date of birth and signature must be entered onto the
form. Your application must be received by the elections
office no later than six working days prior to the election
date.
Please
click here to complete an online Proxy Application
Form or alternatively contact the Electoral Services
Office. Remember, completed forms need to be printed, signed
and returned to electoralservices@bedford.gov.uk