How can someone vote for me? (Proxy Voting)  

A Proxy Voter is someone who appoints another person (the Proxy) to vote on their behalf.  This is permitted under electoral legislation but reasons for the appointment of the proxy have to be given and, in general, witnessed by a qualified person.  You can appoint a proxy for the following reasons:

• physical incapacity

You will qualify if you cannot be expected to go in person to a Polling Station and vote unaided.  Your doctor, nurse or Christain Science practitioner will need to support your application by signing your application form.  If you are in a residential care home or sheltered housing, the warden or head of home can support your application.

• occupation, service or employment

Your employer must countersign your application form.  If you are self-employed you will need to state this on your application.

• attendance on a course

In this instance your application will need to be countersigned by someone from the college or educational institution who is authorised to so do.

• other

If you have any other reason why you may not reasonably be expected to go to the Polling Station and vote in person you may apply to vote by proxy for a specific election only.  Such a reason may be for holiday purposes where a long journey by say air or sea would be required.

The person you appoint as your proxy must be eligible to vote.  They should be someone you trust and who is willing to go to the Polling Station and vote on your behalf in the way that you wish. If required your proxy may apply to vote for you by post.  A person cannot vote as proxy for more than two voters unless they are husband / wife, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the voter.  You may vote in person at the Polling Station provided that you do so before your proxy has voted on your behalf.

If you do not wish to appoint a proxy you can still vote in person at the Polling Station with somebody to assist you.  Alternatively, the staff in the Polling Station will help you to vote in person.  Follow the link for information about voting in the Polling Station.  You may also want to consider voting by post, for further information please click here.