Yesterday’s announcement of a snap general election in the UK means that British citizens who wish to vote should register to do so as soon as possible. Following the Conservative government’s decision to scrap the 15-year rule, all British nationals who are residents overseas have the right to vote.
For the first time in decades, all British nationals who are residents overseas will have the right to vote in the July 4th general elections, following the Conservative government’s decision to scrap the 15-year rule.
However, in order to vote you’ll need to register on the electoral register. For long-term expats this will usually be in the last constituency you voted or were registered in.
You will then be able to choose whether to vote by proxy (getting a designated person to cast your vote for you) or by post.
Holiday makers who are abroad at the time of the election will also be able to vote by proxy or by post (Northern Irish voters can only vote by post).
Given the experience of previous general elections, we’d recommend voting by proxy if possible. The postal voting system has proved unreliable in recent elections, and the Canarian postal service doesn’t help. Full details can be found at www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad
