Emergency proxy vote

[Sunriseatsix]

I have been admitted into hospital and won't be out in time to vote.

I have applied for an emergency proxy vote using this form: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/emergency-proxy-vote

I've filled it in and submitted it to my local electoral office which says (by auto response) that I have until 5pm tomorrow so still time.

What happens next? I had to name a proxy in the form. If it is approved, will they need my ID? My poll card? Any one done it before? I'm finding the info online confusing.

I’m currently in a hospice with my Dad who is in his last days of life so won’t be able to vote without doing this but my situation doesn’t seem to be covered.
I am consoling myself with the fact that he has voted by post and for the same party I want to vote for so as he won’t be here I’m counting that as my vote.

I'm so sorry @HalfasleepChrisintheMorning. I hope this time passes as smoothly as it can and I'm glad you are able to be there for your wonderful dad.

A proxy needs ID but not the poll card. They need to be able to cast your vote at your polling station.

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning

im really sorry to hear bout your Dad x

My Dad died of a heart attack, but my Granddad & Uncle were (separately) both in hospices at the end (both with cancer) & they were both amazing places who made it as calm & gentle as possible. It's still hard to go through though, I'll be thinking of you xx

@Sunriseatsix sorry, I don't know. But I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies, lots of people on here are involved in the process. Hope you're home soon!

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning i’m in the same situation but with my mum. My constituency is too close to call and my polling station is 3 hours drive away. Quietly gutted.

And yes - the emergency proxy route doesn’t seem to cover us.

Thanks for that. Do they need my ID or their own?

The emergency proxy situation really ought to find a way to support those like the two on this thread as people shouldn't be disenfranchised by family emergencies.

So sorry to everyone who is in this situation

There is an option to appoint an emergency proxy based on your photo ID not being available:

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-11/EP-VIDEmergencyProxyPhotoID20233_form.pdf

You could just sign to say it has been lost or damaged and appoint a proxy on those grounds. Your local council really won't care as long as they have a properly filled-in form. I would suggest speaking to them to make sure of the quickest way you can get the paperwork to them and make sure the polling station will have your proxy on their list once the application goes through. You've got the until 5pm, good luck.

I mean anybody could lose their passport/driving licence, couldn't they? And then they might turn up tomorrow, oops they fell down the back of the sofa. Or whatever

@Sunriseatsix the proxy needs to take their own ID, not yours.

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning and @Motorina: I really think the lost ID route that @GertrudeKerfuffle helpfully suggested would work for you.

To confirm for others: I filled in the relevant form and emailed it to my local electoral office. Find yours here: www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

They replied to me relatively quickly to approve my application. I had to name a proxy on the form and that person just went down to my polling centre with her own ID and cast my vote.

So simple.

Thank you for replies.
i spoke to the consultant who said he would be surprised if it were today so DH picked me up, drove me home, I voted and came back.
My Dad is still with us.
It’s a shit situation but the lost ID was a great idea thank you.
@Motorina I’m so sorry about your Mum. This is so hard.

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning thank you. Waiting on the consultant now. Sympathies - it’s rubbish.

What really pisses me off is, if I were away for work, I could arrange an emergency proxy. Away for care needs? Nope, doesn’t count.

The overwhelming majority of care is provided by women. Clearly less important than business trips. Fuck every day sexism.