Postal and Proxy Voting

What to do if you know that you are unable to get to a polling station on election day.

Apply for a postal or proxy vote 

If you know that you will be unable to get to your polling station on election day, you can organise a postal or proxy vote.  A proxy vote is where somebody votes on your behalf. This must be arranged in advance. It can be set up as a permanent or a temporary option and please note that your proxy must be registered to vote.

You must be registered to vote to apply for a postal or proxy vote.

Your postal vote may be sent to an overseas address, but we do not recommend this. There is usually very little time for you to receive and return the ballot paper in time for election day. If you live outside of the UK you may prefer to appoint a proxy.

You can download the relevant application forms using the links below - the form must be printed and signed.  If you do not have access to a printer you can ask us to send you a form by post instead.

The deadline has now passed for absent vote applications for the election on 4 May 2023 but you can use the buttons below to download the application forms for future elections.

If you have an existing postal or proxy vote and need to make any alterations you must complete a new form.

If you need to cancel an existing postal or proxy vote please send an email to elections@newcastle.gov.uk.

Completed forms can be returned to us by email to elections@newcastle.gov.uk or by post to Newcastle City Council, Electoral Services, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.