Voting by post or by proxy
If you cannot get to the polling station on election day, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy instead.
More information on how to vote by post or by proxy is available on the Electoral Commission website.
Voting by post
Anyone registered to vote can apply for a postal vote and you do not need photo ID. You can apply to vote by post online.
You do not need photo ID to vote by post.
To vote by post, your application must be with our team by 5pm, 11 working days before an election.
You'll need to provide an ink signature with your application for security. If you have a disability that makes signing your name difficult, you may be eligible for a signature waiver. It means you would not need to sign your postal vote. You can ask for a signature waiver as part of the online postal vote application.
You'll receive your postal vote pack with your ballot paper in the post. Follow the instructions to complete and return your ballot paper. Make sure you leave enough time for it to arrive with us by 10pm on the day of the election. If you cannot post your vote back in time, you can hand it to staff at your polling station. Or you can take it to your local council office on election day.
Instructions for voting by post are available in:
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picture form
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easy-read
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large print
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braille
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translations into other languages
Please ring the helpline 0161 234 1212 to request any of these.
Voting by proxy
Voting by proxy means you appoint someone else to vote on your behalf – either by post or at a polling station. If voting on your behalf at a polling station, your proxy must go to your designated polling station to vote.
The person who votes on your behalf should be someone you trust. And they must be someone able to vote in the election.
If you want to appoint a proxy for one election, you can apply for a proxy vote online.
If you need someone to vote for you in every election, use the permanent proxy paper application form.
Make sure you choose the right form for your circumstances. And fill out all the relevant sections.