Voting in the UK as an Expat
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:13 pm
#1
Thread Starter
58.38264% - Extreme Geek
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,270
From: The Place To Be
Voting in the UK as an Expat
There's a rumor doing the rounds that Tony Blair is planning to call a General Election for the end of Feb. Dunno how true this is, but....
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:32 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,863
From: Cairns, Qld.
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by anya4oz
There's a rumor doing the rounds that Tony Blair is planning to call a General Election for the end of Feb. Dunno how true this is, but....
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:37 pm
#3
Thread Starter
58.38264% - Extreme Geek
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,270
From: The Place To Be
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by tonyk38
I thought the election was in May. Maybe I've got it wrong. But since I've never voted in my life or even registered, I guess I'm a bit out of touch with these things!
We'll see!
But for those of us who *do* want to vote, now's the time to get the paperwork sorted, just in case!
Cheers,
Anya.
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:41 pm
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,863
From: Cairns, Qld.
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by anya4oz
Yeah, I think that's what a lot of people are expecting. However, there are rumblings from various quarters that Blair is putting things in place to go to the country earlier - & Feb is being quoted.....
We'll see!
But for those of us who *do* want to vote, now's the time to get the paperwork sorted, just in case!
Cheers,
Anya.
We'll see!
But for those of us who *do* want to vote, now's the time to get the paperwork sorted, just in case!
Cheers,
Anya.
Why do you want to vote in a UK election if you don't mind me asking?
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:43 pm
#5
Thread Starter
58.38264% - Extreme Geek
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,270
From: The Place To Be
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by tonyk38
It's not that I don't want to vote, it's just that I don't like what the government does with the info you give them when you register to vote. Especially local government.
Why do you want to vote in a UK election if you don't mind me asking?
Why do you want to vote in a UK election if you don't mind me asking?
I'll tell you over a beer or two sometime!Cheers,
Anya.
Jan 2nd 2005 | 1:59 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,863
From: Cairns, Qld.
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by anya4oz
I'll tell you over a beer or two sometime!Cheers,
Anya.
See you at the Melb'n meet, all being well!
Jan 2nd 2005 | 2:33 pm
#7
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,646
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by anya4oz
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote?
Also - overseas voting does not extend to local elections.
Those who left the UK before age 18 may also be eligible to register.
Jeremy
Jan 29th 2005 | 12:08 pm
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,285
From: Victoria
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by anya4oz
There's a rumor doing the rounds that Tony Blair is planning to call a General Election for the end of Feb. Dunno how true this is, but....
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
Did you know that, as an Expat, you have the right to vote in the UK for 15 years after leaving, in the constituency where you were last registered to vote? Although many of us have left the country, I feel it is still important for us all to be aware that we retain our democratic right to vote (even if, for various reasons, we decide not to in the end!).
You can find details about how to register here:
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
Be aware, though, that the postal voting system only allows you one week to get the voting forms back to the UK, otherwise they don't get counted in the ballot. I'm planning to ask my MIL to act as a proxy voter for me - luckily she and I support the same party, so it won't be a hardship
Best of luck to all of you who decide to register.
Cheers,
Anya.
On the registering to vote form has anyone had trouble getting the form witnessed? Reason being is that you need to get someone who is not related to you, is a british citizen and is not resident in the uk to witness the declaration. I dont know anyone where I live but aussies
Jan 29th 2005 | 12:17 pm
#9
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 92,279
From: MA, USA
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by NJJ
On the registering to vote form has anyone had trouble getting the form witnessed? Reason being is that you need to get someone who is not related to you, is a british citizen and is not resident in the uk to witness the declaration. I dont know anyone where I live but aussies
Jan 29th 2005 | 12:43 pm
#10
Class 2 Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,124
From: Where the stars look very diff-e-rent today... and tomorrow!
Re: Voting in the UK as an Expat
Originally Posted by tonyk38
Why do you want to vote in a UK election if you don't mind me asking?
