The 15-year restrict on voting rights for British residents residing overseas is to be eliminated following a landmark change to voting regulation in the UK. Right here’s what Brits residing in Norway (or elsewhere) must know.
Too little, too late? Thats the decision of many British residents residing overseas following the vote within the British Parliament to take away the 15-year restriction on voting rights for expats.
The change solely applies to Parliamentary elections, not native elections. As many as 3.5 million extra folks ought to now have the suitable to vote within the subsequent U.Ok. Normal Election, which ought to be held in late 2024 or early 2025.
Registered voters can even donate to political events and campaigns, one thing that was additionally prohibited below the earlier 15-year rule.
The lifting of the ban on voting rights for long-term overseas residents now brings the U.Ok. into line with a lot of Europe.
”Too Little, Too Late”?
Nevertheless, not everyone seems to be pleased. The transfer comes after the Brexit referendum, by which hundreds of thousands of people that had been considerably impacted by the choice had been unable to have their say.
The regulation change additionally comes simply weeks after the U.Ok. authorities introduced it will tighten guidelines on British residents bringing overseas spouses to Britain.
In December, the Residence Workplace stated it will elevate the minimal earnings requirement for British residents bringing their spouses to the U.Ok. from £18,600 to £38,700. Campaigners say this modification will restrict the choices of many within the British diaspora.
British in Europe, a marketing campaign group representing greater than 1 million British residents residing in Europe, stated this modification exhibits an absence of joined-up pondering in Westminster, including it “successfully strips one in every of our few remaining citizenship rights — the suitable to return to stay within the UK.”
Voter Registration for Brits Residing Overseas
Now, it’s essential to keep in mind that having the suitable to vote isn’t the identical factor as having the ability to vote.
So as to vote in British elections, you’ll have to be on the electoral register. That is simple to neglect whenever you’ve been residing in Norway for some time, the place such issues occur mechanically.
For those who’ve not voted within the U.Ok. just lately, it’s probably you’ll should reconfirm your registration. Even for those who voted just lately, you’ll most likely nonetheless have to do that.
The elections workplace in my former U.Ok. constituency contacts me yearly asking me to reconfirm the registration, though the net system abroad voters are actually eligible to make use of will hopefully put a cease to this.
British residents with residence overseas should register utilizing their final U.Ok. handle, which defines the constituency by which they vote. Go to the Register to Vote web site to get the method began.
The right way to Vote from Overseas
When registering to vote, you might be additionally capable of organize a postal or proxy vote. I extremely advocate a proxy vote, which is when somebody is ready to vote in your behalf.
Why is that this? Effectively, for the final U.Ok. Normal Election, my postal poll paper arrived right here in Norway after the outcomes had been introduced. Sure, actually!
However, after all, if you will organize a proxy vote, it must be somebody you belief to hold out your needs.
