As of 16 January 2024, British expats who have been living abroad for more than 15 years have regained their right to vote in UK general elections. Previously, British expats lost these rights after living abroad continuously for 15 years or longer, but this change to the law could allow roughly 3 million additional British expats to register to vote, according to government estimates.
About the new policy
The adoption of this ‘votes for life’ policy is part of the UK Government’s Election Act, passed in 2022, and it mirrors the legal rights that citizens of many major democracies have been enjoying for years, such as Canada, France, Japan and the United States, to name a few. In addition to voting in general elections, long-term expats will also be able to vote in some referenda, with rules varying for each vote.
The timing of this change to the electoral rules is timely, with a UK general election coming up on 4 July. The Electoral Commission has stated that it is working to inform all British citizens living abroad that their voting rights have been reinstated – and it’s asking for help in spreading the message far and wide.
With that in mind, it’s important that any expats wishing to vote in the next election understand their eligibility, how to register to vote, and how they can cast their ballot. To help get expats informed on all these points and more, here’s a handy FAQ to get you up to speed:
What has changed?
UK expats who have lived abroad for 15 years or more are no longer ineligible to vote. This means that all British citizens can now vote in UK general elections regardless of which country they live in and for how long.
Do I need to register?
Yes, you will need to register to be able to vote in UK elections. While registering allows you to vote, you will need to renew your registration every three years.
How do I register to vote as an expat?
If you’re registering as an overseas voter, you apply for either a postal vote or a proxy vote, where you elect someone to vote on your behalf. You can submit your application for either type of vote online or by post.
Postal votes are not available for overseas voters registered in Northern Ireland, who must instead choose to apply for a proxy vote. These applications must be made via a paper form.
Full details on how to register to vote can be found on the government website.
Where do I register if I haven’t had a UK address in over 15 years?
You’ll need to apply to register in the local authority of the last address where you lived or were registered to vote. You will also need to provide the details of the address you lived and when you lived there, enabling the local authority to verify your identity and previous connection to the area.
The Electoral Commission provides a handy postcode lookup tool which allows you to find the relevant council for UK postcodes. This could help long-term expats whose previous address has changed local authority since they last lived there.
What votes can I take part in?
As an expat, registering to vote will allow you to cast your ballot in UK general elections and some referenda. Each referendum has its own specific rules, meaning the right to vote in these is not guaranteed. You won’t be able to vote in local elections.
What if I was a child when I last lived in the UK?
You’ll still be able to register to vote, so long as you’re a UK citizen and can provide details of your last UK address and when you lived there.
William Cooper, Marketing Director at William Russell, comments on the changes:
“Changes in parliamentary legislation will enfranchise British expats who’ve not lived in the UK for 15 years or more. Previously, these expats haven’t been able to vote in general elections in the UK. British expats living abroad can re-register to vote in the constituency where they last lived.
Registration isn’t mandatory, but if you wish to have your say in the forthcoming general election you’ll need to register to vote.
There are a few issues that will no doubt need ironing out. What happens if the constituency boundaries have changed? Or if your old constituency has been abolished in the last 15 years? What about expats who never lived in the UK as adults, and hence weren’t ever registered to vote in the UK?
Registering to vote in the general election entitles you to vote in the general election only. You won’t be able to vote in local elections.
With up to 15 million expats in the electoral franchise, it will be interesting to see what impact that has on the outcome of the next general election.”
Follow these links to find out more:
Electoral Commission
GOV.UK
House of Commons Library
