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Vote by proxy

What a proxy vote is

If you are not able to get to your allocated polling station on the day of an election (‘polling day’), you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. 

This is called a proxy vote. The person voting on your behalf is called your proxy.

You need to apply for a proxy vote in advance of polling day. 

After you’ve confirmed your proxy, you’ll need to tell them which candidate or party you want to vote for.

The person will go to your polling station to cast your vote on polling day. 

They can also apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy.

Who can apply for a proxy vote

You can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, such as:   

  • if you’re away on holiday on polling day
  • if you’re registered as an overseas voter
  • if you have a disability
  • if you’re not able to vote in person because of work or military service
  • if you’re registered as an overseas voter
  • if you’re a prisoner convicted for under 12 months.

To apply for a proxy vote, both you and your proxy must be registered to vote.

When you need to apply for a proxy vote

You must apply by 5pm at least 6 working days before an election polling day.

Scottish Parliamentary election 2026

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the Scottish Parliament election 2026 is 5pm on Monday 28 April 2026.

Find out more about the Scottish Parliamentary election 2026.

Before you apply

You must ask for your trusted person’s permission before you apply for a proxy vote.

To apply for a proxy vote, you’ll need:

  • your National Insurance number or another form of identification, such as a birth certificate
  • your proxy’s address
  • contact details for your proxy.

How to apply

Scottish Parliamentary and local government (council) elections

To apply for a proxy vote, download and fill in the paper form (GOV.UK).

Post the form to your Electoral Registration Office at:

Electoral Registration Officer
Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1BF

UK Parliamentary elections

Online   

Apply for a proxy vote online (GOV.UK).

Paper form

If you cannot apply online, you can download and fill in the paper form (GOV.UK).

Post the form to your Electoral Registration Office at:

Electoral Registration Officer
Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1BF

After you’ve applied

The Electoral Registration Office will confirm to you and your proxy that your proxy arrangement is in place.

We'll send a proxy poll card to the person you’ve chosen with details of how to vote.

Your proxy will have to go to your allocated polling station to cast your vote on polling day. 

They cannot cast their own vote at your allocated polling station, unless you both have the same polling station. They must cast their own vote at their allocated polling station.

If you appoint a proxy, you can still vote at your polling station as long as your proxy has not already voted on your behalf or arranged a postal vote.

Postal proxy vote

If your proxy wishes to vote by post, they’ll need to request a postal proxy application form.

They must apply for a postal proxy vote by 5pm at least 11 working days before an election polling day.

They’ll need to contact the Electoral Registration Office to request a further application form by: 

For the Scottish Parliamentary Election 2026

Your proxy must apply for a postal proxy before 5pm on 21 April 2026.
 

Change your proxy

If you want to change the person who’ll cast your proxy vote for an election, you'll need to apply for a new proxy vote before 5pm at least 6 working days before an election polling day.

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

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

  • you cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency or disability
  • you're not able to vote in person because of work or military service
  • you’re accompanying someone who is receiving medical treatment
  • you’re detained in prison
  • if your existing proxy cannot attend the polling station
  • your postal vote won’t arrive in time
  • the photo ID you were planning on using to vote has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed (UK Parliamentary elections only)
  • you've not received a new or replacement photo ID you've ordered (UK Parliamentary elections only).

For Scottish Parliament election 2026

A medical emergency must have happened after 5pm on 28 April 2026, or you were unable to apply if the emergency took place before this date.

Emergency proxy applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

You can contact the Electoral Registration Office by:

More information

For any questions, contact the Electoral Registration Office by: