Emergency Proxies

What is an Emergency Proxy?

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can’t vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren’t aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline and before 5pm on polling day.

Upcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election

For this election that means after 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Emergency proxy applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day 7 May 2026.

What are the circumstances?

Circumstances where you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy include:

• You have a medical emergency (PDF)
• You are acting as a medical companion to someone receiving medical care (PDF) (Scottish Parliament elections only)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• Your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged (PDF) after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed. This form can also be used if your Anonymous Elector’s Document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged (UK Parliament elections or recall petitions only).
• You need to change your existing proxy (PDF). If you have an existing proxy vote arrangement and your proxy is no longer able to vote on your behalf after the proxy deadline, you can change your proxy (Scottish Parliament and council elections only).

Emergency proxy applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Details on your application

While contact details are optional, we ask that you provide them where possible so that we can easily and quickly contact you about your application, as these applications are time-sensitive in nature.

Contact Us

If you need to apply for an emergency proxy or to find out more information, contact us by phone or Contact Scotland BSL app on 01786 892289, or by email on [email protected].