Vote by post or proxy
If you cannot vote in person at a polling station you can apply for a postal vote or appoint a proxy (someone to vote on your behalf).
Apply to vote by post
You can apply to vote by post if you cannot go to your polling station on election day, or if you would prefer to vote by post.
When you apply, you must provide your:
- National Insurance number
- date of birth
- signature
Postal votes are valid for 3 years. You'll need to submit a new application when your postal vote expires.
Apply for a postal vote on GOV.UK
After you apply
Your identity will be checked automatically. If it's successfully verified, our team will be notified by the next day.
If identity verification fails, you'll need to provide supporting evidence to confirm your identity.
If you cannot apply online
You can download a paper form from GOV.UK or request a form from us.
We can send the form by email or post. Email us your completed form.
Reapply for postal vote
You must apply for a new postal vote every 3 years.
If you applied for a postal vote before 31 October 2023, you must reapply by 31 January 2026.
If your application is not received by this date, we are required by law to cancel your postal vote. You'll need to vote in a polling station until we receive a new postal vote application or you appoint a proxy.
Signing your application or uploading your signature
You may wish to use an uploaded signature to complete your application. Find out how to upload your signature
If you cannot provide a signature or a consistent signature but still want to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote without giving your signature.
You'll need to explain why you cannot provide a consistent signature. If you have had help completing the application, that person will need to supply their details.
If you prefer to complete a paper application, contact us by phone or email and request a waiver declaration to be sent to you. The waiver declaration must be returned with your postal vote application form.
Completing your application
You need to apply for a postal vote by 5pm on the 11th working day before polling day.
When completing your form, either online or a paper version, make sure you include your:
- your National Insurance number
- date of birth
- signature
or you will be asked to provide additional supporting evidence to confirm your identity. This will delay your application and could result in your identity not being confirmed early enough for your postal vote to be issued in time for the next scheduled election.
Returning your vote
A few weeks before polling day, you will receive a postal ballot pack that will include your ballot paper/s and a postal voting statement. You will need to sign and return the statement to us in our pre-paid envelope along with your clearly marked ballot papers. They must reach the Returning Officer by 10pm on polling day.
Returning postal votes by hand
The number of postal votes that can be handed in by one person is restricted. Restrictions also apply to who the individual handing in the postal votes can be for each poll taking place. These restrictions apply in both polling stations and council buildings. By law, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of up to five others.
You can personally hand postal votes to a member of staff authorised to receive them at Kensington Town Hall between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. On polling day, you can also hand postal votes in at a polling station within the borough. Votes must be received by 10pm. You will need to complete a short form when handing in postal votes.
Cancelling your postal vote
Cancellation of postal votes must be made in writing, by email to [email protected] or by letter to:
Electoral Services
Town Hall
Hornton Street
London
W8 7NX
Your correspondence must include your full name and address.
Proxy voting
If you are unable to go in person to your polling station, you can also vote by proxy. A proxy vote allows someone you trust to vote on your behalf. Once appointed, on polling day they will attend the polling station at which you would normally vote at and cast your vote.
Voters are limited to acting as a proxy for up to four people, of which no more than two can be based in the UK, that is not overseas voters.
Applying for a proxy vote
The quickest way is to apply online. Your identity will be checked automatically and if successfully verified, the Electoral Services team will be notified no later than the following day.
Should the application fail to verify you will be asked to provide supporting evidence to confirm your identity.
Completing your application
You need to apply for a proxy by 5pm on the sixth working day before polling day.
To apply for a proxy, you must complete a form and give a reason you cannot get to your polling station in person. The form you need to complete depends on the reason you need a proxy, if you:
- are going to be on holiday
- are away for work
- have a physical condition which means you cannot get to your polling station on polling day
- are an overseas voter
For more information and links to the different forms available to download, visit GOV.UK or contact the Electoral Services team directly. We can send you the correct form via email or through the post.
Postal proxy
A postal proxy is someone appointed as your proxy who is unable to attend the polling station in person.
A few weeks before polling day, the proxy is sent a postal ballot pack including ballot paper/s and a postal voting statement. They will need to sign the statement and return it to us in our pre-paid envelope along with clearly marked ballot papers, by 10pm on polling day.
As well as an elector completing a proxy application, the proxy must complete a postal proxy application containing their signature and date of birth. A postal proxy arrangement can only be put in place if both applications reach us by 5pm, 11 working days before polling day.
Contact us directly if you require a postal proxy application form.
Emergency proxy
In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you cannot vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.
You can apply for an emergency proxy if:
- you have a medical emergency
- you are away for work
- your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, and the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed. This form can also be used if your Anonymous Elector’s Document is lost stolen, destroyed, or damaged
An emergency proxy application can be requested for these reasons, up to 5pm on polling day, if you missed the original proxy application deadline of 11 working days before polling day.