Yahoo News How to vote in the general election by post and by proxy if you're on holiday
The General Election will soon be upon us, with less than two weeks before Britain head to the polls to decide their new prime minister.
Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer are back on the campaign trail today as polling day nears.
Two YouGov polls in the past seven days have found three-quarters of Britons (75 per cent) have an unfavourable view of the prime minister. And most 2019 Conservative voters have a negative view of the prime minister (56 per cent).
Meanwhile, the 39 per cent of Britons with a favourable view of the Labour leader are still outnumbered by the 52 per cent who have an unfavourable view.
So, with the election fast approaching, what should you do if you will not be in the country on July 4 and want to vote?
How to vote in the general election by post and by proxy
You can still vote in a general election even if you are not in the country (provided you are registered to vote in the first place)m so fear not. Here's how to do it:
By post (England, Wales and Scotland)
If you'd like to vote via postal vote, you can register online.
You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election.
“You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you,” the Electoral Commission says.
You can also download, print, and fill in the postal vote application form.
Once you have completed the form and signed it, you'll need to send it to the electoral services team at your borough council – find your borough’s electoral registration office here.
You'll receive your ballot papers and postal voting statement before polling day. Post these to your borough council by 10pm on polling day to be counted.
You can deliver it by hand on polling day. If you return your postal voting statement by hand, you must complete a short form, so allow time for this.
Voting in Northern Ireland
There’s a different process to apply to vote by post or proxy if you live in Northern Ireland and will be abroad temporarily on election day.
If you will not have time to receive and return your postal ballot in Northern Ireland before going abroad you’ll need to vote by proxy. You cannot apply to have your postal vote sent outside the UK.
By proxy
A proxy vote can be used when you cannot vote in person, meaning you can ask someone to vote on your behalf.
Someone can be a proxy for only two people based in the UK. If they act as a proxy for people living overseas, they can do so for up to four people but only two can be based in the UK.
Someone can be your proxy if they are:
18 or over.
registered to vote.
able to get to your polling station on polling day.
eligible to vote in the election.
You must apply by:
5pm, six working days before election day in England, Scotland or Wales.
5pm, 14 working days before election day in Northern Ireland.
However, there’s a different way to apply:
for the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), Scottish Parliament and local elections in Wales and Scotland using paper forms.
You can learn more about proxy voting on the Electoral Commission’s website.
