Member News

In total there are an estimated 5.5 million British subjects who live abroad. Yet at the last General Election only around 230,000 were registered to vote. 

However, this number could rise dramatically at this General Election due to recent changes in the law. 

Now those who have lived abroad for more than 15 years are eligible to vote. Making an estimated 3.5 million additional Brits abroad potential voters this time round. 

That’s a big number. Your vote could make a difference to who governs the UK.

But just like voter registration in the UK it isn’t automatic. You need to do something about it to make sure you don’t lose your right to vote in the UK.

First you need to register to vote by 18th June in the place where you were last registered to vote in the UK. 

To register to vote click here.

You will be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one) and may be asked for your passport details.

You also need to provide the address where you were last registered to vote or failing that the last address in the UK where you lived.

Then to ensure you can vote you need to apply for a Proxy vote (Postal ballots take time to arrive and be returned and will generally arrive too late to be counted especially for those in far flung countries like the UAE) which means finding someone back home who you trust to cast your vote for you. 

The 26th June is the deadline to register to vote by Proxy.

To find out more this handy website provides great information on voting from overseas including how to register and how to get a Proxy vote. Click here to find out more ➡ www.voteabroad.uk