COVID-19 proceedings: voting
Under the temporary arrangements, divisions in the House of Commons took place in the division lobbies and MPs registered their votes using a pass-reader, maintaining social distancing throughout the process.
In response to the pandemic, remote voting was introduced in the House of Commons at the same time as temporary arrangements to enable remote participation were extended, on 12 May 2020. These temporary arrangements expired on 20 May 2020 and most MPs returned to attend the Chamber physically from 2 June 2020.
On 16 June 2020, the Speaker announced that the House would implement a pass-reader system for registering MPs' votes in the division lobbies. Although most covid-19 related procedures expired on 22 July 2021, pass-readers continue to be used in divisions.
How does the pass-reader voting system work?
There were originally two pass-readers in each of the division lobbies, enabling four MPs to vote at the same time while maintaining social distancing in line with public health guidance.
When a division began, MPs went to Westminster Hall to join one of two queues (whichever is shortest).
MPs passed through the required voting lobby (either 'Aye' or 'No') and tapped their pass on the pass-reader to register their vote, then leaving the lobby immediately.
Any problems with voting were reported to the Tellers.
The number of pass-readers in each division lobby has since been increased to four.
What do the Tellers do?
Tellers are MPs that have been appointed to verify the count during a division. There are two Tellers assigned to each division lobby.
Once the division has finished, a Teller from the winning side will come to the Despatch Boxes in the Chamber to announce the result.
Proxy voting
Proxy voting was introduced on 29 January 2019 as a twelve-month trial to enable MPs to cast a vote on behalf of another MP who was absent as a new parent. This trial period was extended on two occasions in 2020.
On 23 September 2020, the House of Commons agreed to make the proxy voting scheme permanent.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the House of Commons also agreed to extend the proxy voting scheme on 10 June 2020 to include MPs who were unable to attend Westminster for medical of public health reasons related to the pandemic.
On 3 November 2020, the House further extended proxy voting to any MP that didn't wish to vote in person for medical or public health reasons realting to the pandemic. These temporary arrangements expired on 22 July 2021.
MPs wishing to vote by proxy had to register to do so beforehand and identify who would cast their vote for them.
Find out more about the proxy voting scheme.
How are proxy votes cast in the pass-reader system?
Proxy voters voting the same way as their proxy
In a division, if an MP is voting the same way as the MP/s they are also voting on behalf of, they should tap their pass on the pass-readers to register their own vote.
They must then inform the Teller in the same lobby that they are also casting a vote on behalf of another MP or MPs (making clear how many MPs they are voting on behalf of).
Immediately afterwards, the MP voting on behalf of another should email the Public Bill Office to let them know that they have done so. They should clearly state which MP/s they have voted on behalf of an which division they refer to.
Proxy voters voting the opposite way to their proxy
If an MP is voting the opposite way to the MP/s they are also voting on behalf of, they should register their own vote first by tapping their pass on the pass-reader in the lobby they wish to vote in.
They must then re-join the queue to pass through the other lobby (without registering their pass) and inform the Tellers that they are voting on behalf of another MP or MPs (making clear how many MPs they are voting on behalf of).
Immediately afterwards, the MP voting on behalf of another should email the Public Bill Office to let them know that they have done so, indicating clearly that they voted the other way.
