Voting by Proxy
How can I get a proxy vote?
Please complete a Proxy Vote application form:
Form created in Adobe Acrobat (pdf form)
Both forms can be completed on your pc but must be printed and signed
before being returned (by post or fax) to us.
Post to:
Electoral Registration Officer
Dover District Council
Council Offices
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
Or fax to: (01304) 872452
Alternatively please contact us (01304 872353) or e-mail: elections@dover.gov.uk
and we will post a form to you
To vote by proxy at any election we must receive your application at
the very latest by 5 pm on the sixth working day before the election.
Who qualifies for a proxy vote?
To get a proxy vote you must be able to show that you cannot reasonably
be expected to go to the polling station.
For example, because:
-
You are living abroad and are registered here as an overseas voter
-
You are a blind or disabled person
-
You live in a residential care home
-
You will be away on an educational course on election day
-
You are self-employed and will be unable to go to the polling station
because of your job.
For some of these reasons you will need to get someone, such as your
doctor or care nurse, to confirm what you are saying. If you are unable
to get to the polling station, you should consider asking for a postal
vote instead, as you do not have to give a reason for this or ask anyone
else to vote for you.
How do I appoint someone to be my proxy?
-
You must find someone who is over 18 and is prepared to vote for
you
-
You must include their details on your application form
-
They must sign your application form to confirm they are prepared
to vote on your behalf.
How long does my proxy vote application
last?
You have three choices:
-
You can apply to keep your proxy vote for all future elections until
you tell us to cancel it (but only if you are applying on the grounds
of disability or blindness, or your long-term employment prevents
you getting to a polling station, or you are living abroad)
-
You can ask for a proxy vote for one particular election only (for
example, if you would normally prefer to go to the polling station
but you will be away on holiday that day)
-
You can ask for a proxy vote for a particular period (for example,
if your work is taking you away from home for several months and you
want to vote in any elections that take place in that time).
How does my proxy vote for me?
-
If you qualify, we record on the electoral register that you want
to vote by proxy
-
Shortly before an election, we send your proxy a Proxy Appointment
Card giving them your registration details and authority to vote on
your behalf
-
Your proxy can go to the polling station on election day with the
proxy appointment card and ask for a ballot paper to vote on your
behalf. The presiding officer will know that you have appointed a
proxy because the register will be marked to show this. Your proxy
will be given your ballot paper and can cast your vote. It is up
to you to tell your proxy who to vote for. You must be able to
trust that they will follow your instructions.
-
Your proxy can also apply to vote by post instead of going to the
polling station. There is a box on the proxy application form that
you must tick if your proxy wants to vote by post.
Can I still vote in person if I have appointed
a proxy?
-
Yes, so long as you get to the polling station before your proxy
has used your vote. You cannot vote yourself if your proxy has already
voted for you.
-
If you go to the polling station yourself, tell the presiding officer
that you have a proxy vote but you have come to vote in person.
Can I cancel my proxy vote when I want
to?
Yes, but you must tell us in writing. We need to receive this at least
11 working days before an election or your proxy will still get a proxy
appointment and will be able to use your vote.
Alternatively Vote by Post
E-mail: elections@dover.gov.uk
