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Example of letter you should receive when accepted as an overseas voter.
Update January 16. Today is the day!
In anticipation for Tuesday January 16, more ℹ️ about eligibility.
Update January 5.
.I registered to vote yesterday. Received a response in recognition at 9am today. Have just received a further email most of which I have posted below:
“Good afternoon
Thank you for your recent online application to register as an overseas elector. Unfortunately, we have had to reject this application as the date that you left the UK was more than 15 years ago, current legislation states you must have been a registered elector in the last 15 years to be entitled to register.
However, this legislation is due to change on 16 January 2024 and the 15 year rule will no longer be a requirement to register overseas. From this date you be able to reapply online so long as you meet the other registration requirements. More information on the changes to overseas registration can be found online at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-views/elections-act/changes-overseas-voting
Kind regards
xxxxxxx
| Elections Office
xxxxxxxx District Council |
In anticipation and preparation. You can proactively register to vote using the link at the end of this page.
Update January t 4.30pm. We suggest you wait to register on the date above as suggested on the email from my district council.
From the House of Commons Library.
The Elections Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. It includes provisions to removing the 15-year rule.
Manifesto commitments have been included in each Conservative Party manifesto since 2015 to remove the 15-year limit on overseas voter registration. This is the so-called ‘votes for life’ policy. The Labour Party favoured maintaining the 15-year limit.
The new rules will allow all British citizens who had previously been resident in the UK to register, not just those who were registered before they left. Other changes are designed to make the renewal process easier for overseas voters.
It is expected newly eligible overseas voters will be able to register from 16 January 2024. Detailed secondary legislation is required to implement many aspects of the new provisions. This has been laid in draft form and must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before coming into effect.
The Government estimates the changes, ending the 15-year limit and allowing all British citizens previously resident to be eligible, will mean around 3.5 million British nationals living overseas would be eligible to register to vote.
From the Electoral Commission which is an independent body.
From January 2024, there will be changes for British citizens living overseas. There will no longer be a 15 year limit on voting rights, and the registration period will change.
Changes
The 15 year limit on voting rights for British citizens living overseas will be removed, and the registration period for these voters will be extended from one year to three. This means that overseas voters will only need to register to vote every three years.
Any British citizen living abroad who has previously lived in, or been registered to vote in the UK, will have the right to vote at UK Parliamentary elections. These voters will be registered at the constituency where they were last registered to vote, or where they lived if they were not registered to vote before.
Anyone who is registered to vote in the UK can make donations to political parties and campaigners. Extending voting rights to more British citizens living overseas will mean these new voters will also be allowed to donate to political parties and campaigners in the UK.
Our role
To support electoral administrators, we will update our guidance to reflect this change.
We will also update the design of paper application forms for British citizens overseas to register to vote, to reflect new rules and requirements and ensure they are as clear and simple to complete as possible.
We will extend the reach of our voter registration campaigns to ensure new voters overseas will be aware of this change.
We will also talk to political parties and campaigners about the overseas voting rights changes”.
As we anticipate verification and clearance from the UK government, you can take proactive steps by registering to vote through the link provided in the interim period.
