LOCAL elections are taking place in 143 councils across England on May 6, 2021.
Brits have the option to “vote by proxy”. But how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know.
How do you vote by proxy?
You can ask anyone to act as your proxy – as long as they’re registered to vote and allowed to vote in the General Election.
You can be a proxy for two people at the same election – or more if the extra people are close relatives.
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
Completed forms have to be sent to your local Electoral Registration Office.
Emergency proxy votes will be available up until 5pm on election day in case voters need to self-isolate due to Covid-19.
What is voting by proxy?
Voting by proxy means getting someone to vote on your behalf.
You can only vote by proxy if this applies to you:
- You’re away on election day
- You have a medical issue or disability that would stop you voting in person
- You have work or military commitments that would stop you voting in person
How can you vote in the 2021 Local Election?
In the UK, there are three ways to vote: in person, by post or by proxy.
You can still check to see if you are registered to vote with your local authority.
If you’re not sure which one you fall under simply type in your postcode at Your Vote Matters.
How do you vote by post?
You can choose whether you want a postal vote for a single election or permanently.
The postal vote will arrive about 10 days before the election date.
Once registered to vote by post, near the time of an election or referendum you will be sent a ballot paper which you complete and then send back.
Though you are not voting in a booth, marking your vote should be done in secret and you should seal the envelope yourself.
If you have registered to vote by post, your postal vote must arrive at your Electoral Office in the UK by 10pm on May 6, the day of the election.
If it arrives after this time, your vote will not be counted.
You should complete your ballot paper in secret, then put it in the envelope supplied and seal it tight.
You must also remember to fill in and sign the accompanying postal voting statement.
Put both items into the larger envelope and post it back to your local electoral registration office.
If you have forgotten to post your ballot then you can take it to your polling station on the date of the election.
Can I vote if I live outside the UK?
You can vote by post or by proxy (someone to vote on your behalf).
The postal vote application deadline was 5pm on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
The deadline to apply for voting by proxy in the May 6, 2021, Local Election is 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
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