Voting rights in UK after 15 years
#1
Voting rights in UK after 15 years
A friend has just sent me a message saying that the 15 year rule after which one is not allowed to vote in UK elections has been abolished.
Is it true?
I've seen nothing in the press about it.
Is it true?
I've seen nothing in the press about it.
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 3,153
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Yes its true - I had an email this morning from UK Gov - Embassy madridSpread the word! More Brits in Spain can now vote in the UK
Madrid, Tuesday 16 January 2024
British citizens living abroad are now eligible to register to vote in UK general elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK. A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit.
Supporting the awareness raising campaign of the UK’s Electoral Commission, the British Embassy in Madrid is calling on British residents living in Spain to check if they are eligible. The Commission is the independent and impartial organisation that oversees elections in the UK.
Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote in UK Parliament elections. They can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal information every three years. Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to UK political parties and campaigners.
British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott said:
“This law means that more British citizens living in Spain will now be eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary elections, which is good news. We’re asking the British community here to help us spread the word, because it’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register and cast a ballot when the time comes.”
It only takes five minutes to register and voting can be done by post or by proxy. Applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident. Local authorities must be able to verify an applicant’s identity and past connection to the area.
More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. Voters living overseas can find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Commission’s postcode lookup tool.
Madrid, Tuesday 16 January 2024
British citizens living abroad are now eligible to register to vote in UK general elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK. A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit.
Supporting the awareness raising campaign of the UK’s Electoral Commission, the British Embassy in Madrid is calling on British residents living in Spain to check if they are eligible. The Commission is the independent and impartial organisation that oversees elections in the UK.
Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote in UK Parliament elections. They can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal information every three years. Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to UK political parties and campaigners.
British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott said:
“This law means that more British citizens living in Spain will now be eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary elections, which is good news. We’re asking the British community here to help us spread the word, because it’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register and cast a ballot when the time comes.”
It only takes five minutes to register and voting can be done by post or by proxy. Applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident. Local authorities must be able to verify an applicant’s identity and past connection to the area.
More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. Voters living overseas can find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Commission’s postcode lookup tool.
#3
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,635
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
I got an email confirming the change this morning also registration to vote is only required every 3 years rather than every year. I only renewed mine 2 weeks ago so presume I will have to renew next year and then it will be 3 years after that. I always get a reminder anyway when I need to renew.
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 513
#6
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
So you pack up and migrate to a new country and want the right in the country you left? Thats a bit cake and eat it in my opinion...when you leave your leave your right to vote behind.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,165
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
#8
#9
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Go through the Electoral website stuff, if you 'pass' verification it will hand you off to your local constituency website, they will subsequently get in touch.
Knowing that the change was coming, I went through this in November 2023 and received the following from 'my local' CC:
Note to Fred James - and this is not sour grapes - this whole thing is way bigger than Brexit.
Knowing that the change was coming, I went through this in November 2023 and received the following from 'my local' CC:
Good morning,
Thank you for your recent overseas registration.
At present the law has not been changed to votes for life for overseas voters (this law changes in 2024)
As you left the UK in 1992 longer than 15 years ago we are unable to register you at present as an overseas voter.
However we will keep your email address on file and contact you once you are able to register.
Kind Regards,
Name Withheld Obviously
Electoral Services Officer
Directorate for Deputy Chief Executive
Buckinghamshire Council
Thank you for your recent overseas registration.
At present the law has not been changed to votes for life for overseas voters (this law changes in 2024)
As you left the UK in 1992 longer than 15 years ago we are unable to register you at present as an overseas voter.
However we will keep your email address on file and contact you once you are able to register.
Kind Regards,
Name Withheld Obviously
Electoral Services Officer
Directorate for Deputy Chief Executive
Buckinghamshire Council
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,635
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Last edited by bobd22; Jan 16th 2024 at 4:44 pm.
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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#12
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Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,165
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
The voting (& eligibility) criteria were / are the same - hence the legal cases that were brought.
#14
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Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,635
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years