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

British citizens living abroad are eligible to register to vote inUK elections so long as they were previously registered to vote in theUK within the last 15 years.  Once registered as an ‘overseas voter’,they can then vote in UK Parliamentary General Elections and EuropeanParliament 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.ukor request one from their local authority Electoral Registration Office(ERO) in the UK.  This should be the ERO for the area where theindividual was previously registered in the UK (contact details areavailable from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk).  The individual needs to signthe declaration on the form, and must also get another British citizenliving overseas, but not a close relative, to sign the witnessdeclaration.  The completed form then needs to be returned by post orfax to the ERO for the area in the UK where the individual wishes toregister (please note that forms should not be returned to theElectoral Commission – the electoral register is maintained locally notcentrally).  Individuals should be encouraged to register as soon aspossible, 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 from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or 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 Servantsbased overseas, and their partners, are eligible to vote in all UKelections, including local and devolved elections.  There is also thepossibility of a UK General Election, which could theoretically becalled with as little as 17 days notice.  British Council employeesbased overseas are also eligible.

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