How to apply for, change and renew your proxy vote or apply for an emergency proxy.

Proxy voting is when you get someone else to vote on your behalf if you can't get to your polling station on polling day.

A proxy can either vote on your behalf at your polling station in Bristol or by post.  If they want to vote by post they'll have to have a postal proxy. 

Who can apply for a proxy vote

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

Your proxy can't vote on behalf of more than two people who live in the UK.

Apply for a proxy vote

You can apply to vote by proxy for:

  • one election
  • a set period of time
  • the maximum period, up to three years

Each person requiring a proxy vote must fill in a form.

Apply for a proxy vote

After you've applied

We'll confirm to you and your proxy that your proxy arrangement is in place, there may not be time to do this just before an election.

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

Your nominated person will have to go to your polling station to vote, not their own polling station. If your proxy wishes to vote by post they will need to contact us to request a postal-proxy application form.

Your proxy will need to show their own photo ID to vote on your behalf at the polling station.

Change your proxy vote

To change your proxy vote for one election you'll need to complete a new proxy vote application.

Privacy Notice

Read our privacy statement and our pdf Privacy notice for Electoral Services 2021 (179 KB)   to see what we do with your personal information.

Contact information

Contact details

Email: proxyvotes@bristol.gov.uk

Tel: 0117 922 3400