Do you have friends or family living abroad who are British citizens?
Make sure you let them know they can now vote in UK Parliament elections, even if they’ve lived outside the UK for more than 15 years!
They will need to have previously lived, or been registered to vote, in the UK at some point during their life. They are now able to register to vote online and their overseas declaration is now valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect.
This applies to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions. They do not apply to local or Senedd elections.
What’s changed?
In 2022, the UK Parliament passed the Elections Act, which made several changes to the UK’s electoral system. These changes include the removal of the 15-year limit on the rights of eligible British citizens to vote in UK Parliament elections.
For more information visit electoralcommission.org.uk/overseasvoters.
