What are the registration and voting arrangements for British citizens living abroad?

British citizens living abroad are eligible to register to vote in UK elections so long as they were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years.  Once registered as an ‘overseas voter’, they can then vote in UK Parliamentary General Elections and European Parliament Elections.  They are not eligible to vote in local, mayoral or devolved elections.

To register as an overseas voter, the individual needs to download the relevant registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or request one from their local authority Electoral Registration Office (ERO) in the UK.  This should be the ERO for the area where the individual was previously registered in the UK (contact details are available from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk).  The individual needs to sign the declaration on the form, and must also get another British citizen living overseas, but not a close relative, to sign the witness declaration.  The completed form then needs to be returned by post or fax to the ERO for the area in the UK where the individual wishes to register (please note that forms should not be returned to the Electoral Commission – the electoral register is maintained locally not centrally).  Individuals should be encouraged to register as soon as possible, as elections can be called at any time and at short notice.

Registered overseas voters can then choose to vote in one of three ways:

•        by proxy (someone in the UK voting on their behalf);
•        by post
•        in person at their local polling station if they are in the UK on election day.

Those wishing to vote by proxy or by post must apply to do so and can get the application forms fromwww.aboutmyvote.co.ukor from the ERO for the area where they are registered in the UK.

What about arrangements for Crown Servants (ie. employees of the British Government) based overseas?

Unlike ordinary British citizens living overseas, Crown Servants based overseas, and their partners, are eligible to vote in all UK elections, including local and devolved elections.  There are local elections scheduled in Wales and parts of England on 1 May 2008, as well as the elections for the London Mayor and Assembly on the same date.  There is also the possibility of a UK General Election, which could theoretically be called with as little as 17 days notice.  British Council employees based overseas are also eligible.

Crown Servants can register to vote, or apply for a proxy or postal vote, by going to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and downloading the relevant form.  The form should be returned by post or fax to the ERO for the area where you live in the UK (contact details can be found on the website).  


Source: The Electoral Commission