If you're registered to vote, you will be sent a polling card before an election takes place. The polling card will tell you at which polling station you are able to vote. If you are unable to go to the polling station yourself you can apply to vote by post or proxy.

Postal votes 

You can decide to vote by post on a temporary or permanent basis without having to provide a reason.  You can apply online or download the postal vote form from the Electoral Commission website.  If you print the form off, complete it and return it to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Electoral Services
Town Hall
Warrington
WA1 1UH

Alternatively, you can contact electoral services on 01925 442184 or at elections@warrington.gov.uk and we'll help you apply online or apply for a postal vote.

Proxy votes

You can ask for someone to vote on your behalf if you are unable to get to the polling station. This is called voting by proxy.

If you want to vote by proxy you will need to have a reason why you aren't able to get to the polling station yourself.

It is possible to have a permanent proxy vote for reasons of a disability or employment. Your application must be certified through a third party, such as your employer or doctor.

As long as your proxy is registered to vote, they can cast your vote for you at a polling station or by post.

There are limits to the number of people that can act as a proxy. Further information is available from the Electoral Commission.

You can apply online for some type of proxy or download a proxy vote application form from the Electoral Commission website.  Print the form off, complete it and return it to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Electoral Services
Town Hall 
Warrington 
WA1 1UH

Or you can contact electoral services on 01925 442184 or at elections@warrington.gov.uk and we'll send you the application form.

For your proxy to vote by post, they need to complete the proxy postal vote form and return it to the same address as above.

Emergency proxies

An elector may appoint an emergency proxy at an election up to 5pm on polling day in the following circumstances:

• in the case of a medical condition, illness or disability arising after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications 
• if their occupation, service or employment means they cannot go to the polling station in person and they became aware of this after the deadline for ordinary proxy applications
• Your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, and the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed

The deadline for an emergency proxy vote for elections is 5pm on the day of an election. This is only to be used for a genuine emergency.

By law all forms require a signature to allow for an emergency proxy and the person appointed must be a registered local government elector