Comments

See Guidance for Voters 

Representation of the People Act 1995 (as amended in 2015)

25. Place and manner of voting

(1) A person entitled to vote at an election —

(a) may do so in person at the polling station allotted under election regulations (unless he or she is an advance voter or a person appointed as the person’s proxy has already voted on his or her behalf);

(b) may do so in advance if the conditions set out in section 26 are met; or

(c) may do so by proxy if he or she has applied under section 27 (unless he or she has already voted in person). [S 25 substituted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 16]

26 Advance votes [S 26 heading substituted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 17.]

(1) A person who is or will be entitled to vote at an election may apply to the returning officer of the appropriate constituency to vote in advance of the election in accordance with this section (whether in his or her own capacity or as a proxy on behalf of an elector who meets the requirements of section 27(1)). [Subs (1) substituted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 17]

 (2) An application under subsection (1) shall be allowed if the returning officer —

(a) is satisfied that the applicant is or will be entitled to vote at the election; and

(b) has no reason to doubt the identity of the applicant.

(3) The application shall include —

(a) an address in the British Islands to which a ballot paper is to be sent for the purpose of the election; [Para (a) amended by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 17.]

(b) such other particulars as are prescribed; and

(c) such evidence of identity as is required. [Subs (3) amended by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 17.]

(4) Regulations may make provision with respect to any matters incidental to this Act so far as it relates to advance voters. [Subs (4) amended by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 17.]

27. Proxy votes

(1) An elector entitled to vote at an election who is unable to vote in person or as an advance voter may apply to the Electoral Registration Officer for the appointment of a person named in the application as a proxy to vote for the elector at that election. [Subs (1) substituted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 18.]

(2) A person may not be appointed proxy to vote on behalf of an elector in any constituency if that person —

(a) has not attained the age of 16 years, or

(b) is subject to any incapacity to vote at an election.

(3) A person may not be appointed proxy to vote on behalf of more than 2 electors in any constituency unless that person is the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of each of those electors.

(4) The Electoral Registration Officer may grant an application under subsection (1) only if satisfied, on information provided by the elector that —

(a) the elector is entitled to make an application under that subsection; and

(b) the person to be appointed as the proxy is willing to act in that capacity, and is not disqualified under this section. [Subs (4) substituted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 18.]

(4A) The Electoral Registration Officer may request the elector to provide such further evidence as he or she considers necessary to determine the matter. [Subs (4A) inserted by Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2015 s 18.]

(5) Not more than one person may be appointed as proxy to vote for any elector at an election.

(6) An appointment of a person as a proxy to vote for an elector at an election shall be revoked —

(a) by notice by the elector to the registration officer;

(b) on the appointment of another person as a proxy to vote for the elector.

(7) Regulations may make provision with respect to any matters incidental to this Act so far as it relates to proxy votes.