Upcoming changes for overseas voters in January 2024
Starting in January 2024, British citizens living abroad will experience significant changes regarding their voting rights in UK Parliamentary elections:
- the 15-year limit on expatriates' right to vote will be removed. This change will enfranchise all British citizens overseas who were previously registered or resident in the UK
- the registration period for overseas voters will be extended to a maximum of three years, compared to the current yearly renewals. Renewal dates will be set to 1 November annually, aligning with the updated absent voting provisions for overseas electors
- overseas electors will have the option to reapply for a postal vote or update their proxy vote. These will then be linked to the new three-year registration period, unless a shorter duration for the absent vote is specified by the elector, causing it to expire earlier
The Electoral Registration Officer will contact all currently registered overseas electors once the Government finalises the transition process.
