Overseas Voters

• Can British citizens living abroad vote?

  British citizens living abroad can vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections but cannot vote in local elections or elections to devolved bodies such as the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales or Greater London Authority.

  British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years are not eligible to register to vote in UK elections.

• What methods of voting are available?

  If you are registered to vote as an overseas elector, you cannot vote in local elections or elections to devolved bodies (such as the Scottish Parliament,  National Assembly for Wales or Greater London Authority). But at other elections, overseas voters can opt to vote by post or proxy.

  Postal votes are only sent out about a week before election day, and you will need to consider whether this gives you enough time to complete and return your form in time. It may be better to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.

• I don't know any British citizens here to sign my witness statement?

  Provided the form is signed by a British citizen living abroad, they do not need to be resident in the same country as you.

• Why can I not vote if I have been away for more than 15 years?

  The length of time that a UK citizen can vote once they have moved abroad is limited by law to 15 years. Until 1985 no UK citizen living overseas could vote (other than Members of the Armed Forces or Crown Servants). Since then the limit has been 5 years, 20 years and now it is 15 years. The franchise is a matter for Government and Parliament and therefore any comments should be directed to the Ministry of Justice.