How to vote

Anonymous registration is available to electors whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register. Other persons in the same household also qualify to register as anonymous electors and may also apply for anonymous registration if they wish.

To apply, you will need to:

• Contact Electoral services for the relevant form
• Explain why your safety (or the safety of someone in the same household as you) would be at risk if your name and address appeared on the electoral register
• Provide documentary evidence of a court order or an attestation from an authorised person to support your application

How registering anonymously works

If you are registered anonymously, your name and address will not appear on the electoral register and you will not be included on any registration forms sent to your address. The Electoral Registration Officer will contact you separately. You will still be able to vote.

Voting in person as an anonymous elector

You will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document if you choose to vote in person at a polling station. This is the only form of identification that you will be able to use in the polling station because your name does not appear on the register and therefore no other types of identification will prove that you are the correct elector. You will need to provide a photo as part of your application for an Anonymous Elector's Document.

You must present your Anonymous Elector's Document in addition to your poll card in order to vote in person at a polling station. The electoral register number on the Anonymous Elector's Document must match the electoral register number shown on your poll card to be accepted.

Anonymous voters cannot apply online for an Anonymous Elector's Document, you must contact our office to get a hard copy application.

Voting by post as an anonymous elector

You do not need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document if you are voting by post. Your ballot paper will be posted to you approximately 10 days before a election.

Anonymous voters cannot apply online for a postal vote, you must contact our office to get a hard copy application.

Voting by proxy as an anonymous elector

A proxy vote means you can appoint someone to vote on your behalf on election day. The person you appoint as your proxy must also be registered to vote and is required to show their own photographic ID when voting at the polling station. However, If they too, are registered anonymously they will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document.

Anonymous voters cannot apply online for a proxy vote, you must contact our office to get a hard copy application.