Voting by post or proxy

If you registered online you will need to provide your Digital Registration Number (DRN) on your application for a postal or proxy vote. You will be informed of your DRN when you register online. To request a further notification of your DRN please either contact our Helpline on 028 9044 6680 or complete the form on the Digital Registration Number page.

To check whether you have a permanent postal vote or if you have any queries about applying to vote by post or proxy please contact us on 028 9044 6680.

To vote by post or proxy (where you appoint someone to vote on your behalf) you must complete an application form specifying the reason why you cannot go in person to vote at your polling station.

How to apply

  • Download the application form below.
  • Read the guidance notes attached to the application form.
  • Fill in the application form and, if necessary, have the form attested (where another person confirms that the information provided is correct).
  • Return the application form to the Absent Voting Unit, Electoral Office for NI, 15 Church Street, Belfast BT1 1ER. Note: we cannot accept scanned copies of postal/proxy vote application forms, only originals.

Temporary postal or proxy vote

The deadline for applying to vote by post or proxy at the Local Council Elections on 18 May is 5pm on 26 April.

If you are applying to vote by post and are going to be out of the country please check the Postal Vote Issue Dates to ensure you will be at home when postal votes are issued in your district. If you will not be at home when postal votes are issued you may wish to apply to vote by proxy instead.

Application to vote by post or proxy at the Local Council Elections on 18 May 2023 (PDF)

How to apply for a temporary absent vote (video)

Working at a Polling Station?

In order to vote at this election our polling staff may apply for a postal or proxy vote at their current address, and we would recommend you apply as soon as possible.

To be considered for an absent vote you must be on the electoral register. An application form to vote by post or proxy at the Local Council Elections on 18 May can be downloaded above. You can request a hard copy form by telephoning 028 9044 6680.  It is the staff member’s responsibility to ensure any postal or proxy application form is fully completed and submitted within the deadline, and to take the appropriate action within the deadline if they receive notification that their absent vote application has been rejected.

Eligible staff employed may be issued with a Certificate of Employment, providing they are on the current electoral register and will be working within their own district electoral area. 

We must be able to link your Digital Registration Number (DRN) to your staff record. A DRN is required to apply for an absent vote. If you need to request your DRN please complete the form on the Digital Registration Number page.

If you wish to check your eligibility for a certificate of employment please email staffenquiries@eoni.org.uk

EONI does not accept responsibility for staff to be able to vote using a certificate of employment if they accept a position outside their eligible district electoral area.

Indefinite postal or proxy vote

You can apply for an indefinite postal or proxy vote at any time of year. To be eligible for an indefinite postal/proxy vote you must provide a reason why you cannot reasonably be expected to go to your polling station for an indefinite period. The only acceptable reasons are disability, employment or education.

Application form for an indefinite postal or proxy vote on the grounds of disability (PDF)
Application form for an indefinite postal or proxy vote on the grounds of education (or that of your spouse/civil partner) (PDF)
Application form for an indefinite postal or proxy vote on the grounds of employment (or that of your spouse/civil partner) (PDF)

How to apply for an indefinite postal or proxy vote (video)

Service Voter or Crown Servant postal or proxy vote

Application form for a Service Voter or Crown Servant who registered to vote online (PDF)

Elections 2023