IF you can’t get to a polling station on the day of the ballot, you can ask a trusted person to vote on your behalf.
The deadline to register to do this for the May 5 election in Scotland has now passed - but there are still some situations in which you can apply for emergency proxy voting.
This only applies to certain circumstances which you only became aware of - after the sixth working day before the poll.
You can apply for an emergency proxy vote until 5pm on polling day
But the good news is if you are eligible, applications for proxy votes can be made right up until 5pm on the day of the poll itself.
You can apply if you are unable to vote in person because you have had a medical emergency that took place after 5pm, on the sixth working day before the poll - or the medical emergency took place before then, but you couldn’t reasonably make an application before this date.
An emergency proxy vote can also be used if you cannot go to the polling station in person for reasons relating to your occupation, service or employment.
There are also provisions in place to allow application for a proxy vote if you cannot vote in person due to coronavirus.
Can I change my proxy voter?
If someone cannot vote because they are detained in prison, they can also apply for a proxy vote as long as they were living in Scotland before their sentence and are serving a prison term of 12 months or less.
If you need to change a proxy you have already appointed, this can also be done up until 5pm on the day of the poll.
Once the relevant form is filled in, it should be returned to your electoral registration office.
Your proxy should then go to your polling station to cast the vote for whichever candidates you have chosen.
Who is eligible to be a proxy voter?
There are rules around who can be a proxy - and both you and your proxy must be registered and eligible to vote.
A person can only be a proxy for close relatives and up to two other people at an election or referendum.
Close relatives include the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant.
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