expat-overseas voting rights chart

EXPATRIATE/OVERSEAS VOTING COMPARISON CHART

Legal Memoranda

September 2013

Expatriate/Overseas Citizens’ Voting Rights, September 2013

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this memorandum is to compare expatriate/overseas voting rights for European states.

Summary of Findings

Most states in Europe distinguish the overseas voting rights of citizens who are temporarily abroad and permanently living abroad. Each state treats these categories differently, and those citizens can be authorized to vote while abroad either by proxy, by post, or at the embassy/diplomatic mission in the state where they are visiting or residing. Proxy voting requires the citizen’s proxy voter to submit the proxy voter registration form signed by the voter with proof that he/she is abroad.1 Voting by post may require the citizen to coordinate with his/her home state election department in order to obtain the proper documents to vote by post. Some states allow a citizen to vote at the embassy or diplomatic mission in the state where he/she is located. The state will specify when voting is open at the embassy or diplomatic mission to those citizens. There is a tendency for states to allow overseas citizens to maintain their right to vote in state-level elections, but not local-level elections.

EXPATRIATE/OVERSEAS COMPARISON CHARTBELGIUM Citizens Temporarily Abroad

A Belgian citizen temporarily abroad on election day is authorized to vote by proxy.2 Anyone can be the citizen’s proxy voter; however, that proxy voter cannot vote in the name of more than one person.3 There are three situations where a Belgian citizen abroad is allowed to use a proxy vote: a person abroad for professional reasons can justify his/her absence from election day by a letter from the employer; a student abroad for purposes of his/her studies can justify his/her absence from election day by a letter from the university; a voter absent for other reasons, such as travels for holiday, have to request authorization for a proxy vote in advance from the mayor of his/her municipality where he/she lives.4

Citizens Permanently AbroadArticles 64 and 69 of the Belgian Constitution prevent citizens who are permanently residing abroad from exercising a passive voting right because they are no longer resident in Belgium.5 A citizen abroad is unable to participate in local, municipal, or regional elections.6 However, if a citizen permanently residing abroad has voluntarily registered with the consulate in his/her state of residence, he/she is subjected to compulsory voting for federal elections (i.e., Senate and House of Representatives).7

CROATIA The Croatian Constitution provides that Croatian citizens who are abroad may vote for parliamentary and presidential elections.8 The past or current place of residence for a Croatian citizen abroad does not affect his/her right to vote.9 For presidential and legislative elections, a Croatian living outside the boundaries of Croatia is guaranteed his/her electoral right in diplomatic-consular missions and foreign offices of Croatia.10 Voting in diplomatic or consular missions is open for two days.11 A citizen abroad is eligible to vote for state presidential elections12 and on state referendum.13 Only citizens with a permanent residence in Croatia may vote in local and regional elections.14

GERMANY Citizens Temporarily AbroadA German citizen who is temporarily abroad on election day is eligible to vote by post.15 He/she must apply for postal voting no later then three weeks before the election.16 Proxy voting and

1 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.2 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.3 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.4 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.5 BELGIUM CONST. arts. 64, 69 (1994), available at http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/grondwetEN.pdf.6 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.7 Jean-Michel Lafleur, Access to Electoral Rights: Belgium, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=134-Belgium-FRACIT.pdf.8 CROATIA CONST. art. 45 (1990), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/croatia.htm.9 Juraj Sajfert, Access to Electoral Rights: Croatia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=135-Croatia-FRACIT.pdf.10 Law on the Election of the President of the Republic of Croatia art. 5 (Croatia, 1992), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Croatia-%20Law%20on%20the%20Election%20of%20the%20President%20-%20VC.rtf; Act on Election of Representatives to the Croatian Parliament art. 7 (Croatia, 2003), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Election_of_Representatives[1].pdf.11 Act on Election of Representatives to the Croatian Parliament art. 68 (Croatia, 2003), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Election_of_Representatives[1].pdf.12 1992 Law on the Election of the President of the Republic of Croatia art. 5 (Croatia, 1992), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Croatia-%20Law%20on%20the%20Election%20of%20the%20President%20-%20VC.rtf.13 Law on Referendum art. 5 (Croatia, 1996), available at http://www.urban.org/PDF/cr-refprt.pdf.14 Act on Election of Members of Representative Bodies of Local and Regional Self-Government Units art. 2 (Croatia, 2005), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Croatia%20-%20Act%20Election%20on%20Representatives%20of%20local%20and%20regional%20units%20-%20VC%20.rtf.

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electronic voting are not authorized in Germany.17

Citizens Permanently AbroadA German citizen living abroad who resided in Germany at any time after May 23, 1949, is eligible to vote.18 He/she is eligible to vote if he/she resided in Germany for at least three uninterrupted months after the age of 14 within the last 25 years.19 He/she is also eligible to vote if the political situation in Germany directly affects him/her.20 This connection is determined on an individual basis and is not granted automatically.21

MACEDONIA Every citizen in Macedonia who is at least 18 years of age, able-bodied, and holds a domicile in a constituency or municipality has the right to vote.22 The Electoral Code defines a citizen who is temporarily employed or residing abroad as “registered last residence in the Republic of Macedonia, and on election day are temporarily residing abroad for the duration of more than three months or have a temporary employment or residence abroad for more than one year.”23 A citizen who is temporarily employed or residing abroad and registered on the Voters List is authorized to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections.24 He/she may vote in diplomatic consular missions where he/she is temporarily working or residing abroad.25

MONTENEGRO In Montenegro, neither the Election Law nor the Referendum Law expressly provide for expatriate or voting abroad. However, Article 10 of the Referendum Law states that, “every citizen shall vote only in person.”26 Also, Article 11 of the Election Law provides that:

1. “[a] voter who has turned 18 years of age, with business capacity and permanent residence in Montenegro for no less than two years prior to the polling day, is entitled to elect and be elected a MP.”27

2. “[a] voter who has turned 18 years of age, with business capacity and permanent residence in Montenegro for no less than two years and permanent residence in a municipality, or a city municipality as an electoral district for no less than six months prior to the polling day is entitled to elect and be elected a councillor.”28

Article 8 of Montenegro’s Referendum Law provides that citizens who are eligible to vote also have the right to pronounce themselves in a referendum.29 Accordingly, the right to vote in referendums follows the right to vote in parliamentary and municipal elections.

Citizens Temporarily Abroad Montenegrin law implies that citizens who are temporarily abroad on business or holiday are still entitled to vote in elections and on referendum because they hold a permanent residence and are residing in Montenegro.

Citizens Permanently AbroadHowever, citizens who are permanently abroad are unable to vote because he/she does not meet the criteria of Article 11 of the Election Law, which requires a permanent residence in Monenegro for no less than two years and a permanent residence in a municipality for no less than six months prior to the polling day.30

THE NETHERLANDS Citizens Temporarily AbroadA Dutch citizen temporarily abroad is authorized to vote by proxy for all Dutch levels of elections.31 He/she is also authorized to vote by post for Lower House elections if he/she has filed a request with the mayor of The Hague.32

15 Luicy Pedroza, Access to Electoral Rights: Germany, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 7 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1313-Germany-FRACIT.pdf.16 Luicy Pedroza, Access to Electoral Rights: Germany, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1313-Germany-FRACIT.pdf.17 Luicy Pedroza, Access to Electoral Rights: Germany, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1313-Germany-FRACIT.pdf.18 Luicy Pedroza, Voting Rights of Transnational Citizens Moving Forward in Germany, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE (Feb. 25, 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/news/citizenship-news/810-voting-rights-of-transnational-citizens-moving-forward-in-germany.19 Federal Elections Act art. 12(1)-(2)(1) (Germany, 1993), available at http://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/en/bundestagswahlen/downloads/rechtsgrundlagen/bundeswahlgesetz_engl.pdf.20 Federal Elections Act art. 12(2)(2) (Germany, 1993), available at http://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/en/bundestagswahlen/downloads/rechtsgrundlagen/bundeswahlgesetz_engl.pdf.21 Luicy Pedroza, Access to Electoral Rights: Germany, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 7 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1313-Germany-FRACIT.pdf.22 Electoral Code of the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” art. 6(1) (Macedonia, 2012), available at http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/CDL-REF(2013)013-e.aspx.23 Electoral Code of the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” art. 6(2) (Macedonia, 2012), available at http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/CDL-REF(2013)013-e.aspx.24 Electoral Code of the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” art. 1(17) (Macedonia, 2012), available at http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/CDL-REF(2013)013-e.aspx.25 Electoral Code of the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” art. 6(2) (Macedonia, 2012), available at http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/CDL-REF(2013)013-e.aspx.26 Law on Referendum (2001) art. 10 (Montenegro, 2001), available at http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/3934.27 Law on Election of Councillors and Representatives (1998, as amended 2011) art. 11(1) (Montenegro, 2011), available at http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4191/file/Montenegro_Law_on_elections_of_councillors_and_representatives_1998_am2011_en.pdf.28 Law on Election of Councillors and Representatives (1998, as amended 2011) art. 11(2) (Montenegro, 2011), available at http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4191/file/Montenegro_Law_on_elections_of_councillors_and_representatives_1998_am2011_en.pdf.29 Law on Referendum (2001) art. 8 (Montenegro, 2001), available at http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/3934.30 Law on Election of Councillors and Representatives (1998, as amended 2011) art. 11 (Montenegro, 2011), available at http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/4191/file/Montenegro_Law_on_elections_of_councillors_and_representatives_1998_am2011_en.pdf.31 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.

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Citizens Permanently AbroadA Dutch citizen permanently abroad can register to vote at anytime before August 1 of the election year.33 He/she is entitled to vote in Dutch elections as long as he/she has lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years prior to living abroad.34 He/she is authorized to vote in Lower House elections but not provincial or municipal elections.35 He/she can request to vote by proxy or by post.36 A Dutch citizen permanently living in Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten is not authorized to vote in state elections, because the government wants to prevent double voting for representatives where the governments of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten participate.37 However, this does not apply to a Dutch citizen who is employed in the government in these three states.38

SLOVENIA Citizens Temporarily AbroadA citizen who is temporarily abroad on election day is authorized to vote by post or at one of the diplomatic missions of Slovenia if he/she informs the Commission on Elections 30 days prior to election day, and the state where they are temporarily abroad approves of the type of voting or there is an international agreement.39 He/she is authorized to vote in state and local legislative elections, as well as presidential and mayoral elections.40 He/she is also authorized to vote in state referendums by post or at a diplomatic mission if he/she informs the National Electoral Commission at least 15 days prior to the election day.41 A citizen who is temporarily abroad can cast their vote before he/she leaves Slovenia no sooner than five days and no later than two days prior to election day.42

Citizens Permanently AbroadA citizen who is permanently abroad on election day is authorized to vote by post or at one of the diplomatic missions of Slovenia if he/she informs the Commission on Elections 30 days prior to election day, and the state where they are permanently abroad approves of the type of voting or there is an international agreement.43 A citizen permanently abroad must request to be entered in the special electoral register for Slovenian citizens not living permanently in Slovenia.44 He/she votes in the electoral district where he/she or one of his/her parents last held residence.45 A citizen permanently abroad is authorized to vote in state legislative and presidential elections.46 He/she is also authorized to vote in state referendums only by post if he/she informs the National Electoral Commission at least 15 days prior to the election day.47

SPAIN The Constitution provides that all Spaniards are entitled to vote.48 This has been interpreted to mean that in national elections, all Spanish citizens are entitled to vote in state or regional elections, regardless of residency.49 However, residence in an Autonomous Community (AC) is required for participating in the regional elections of that AC, which means that Spaniards living abroad are ineligible to vote in AC elections.50 Also, Spaniards residing abroad are ineligible to vote in municipal elections.51

Citizens Temporarily AbroadA Spanish citizen temporarily abroad is authorized to vote in all levels of elections because he/she is still considered a Spanish resident.52 A citizen temporarily abroad is authorized to vote in

32 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.33 Government of the Netherlands, Election Date Set for 12 September (Apr. 27, 2012), available at http://www.government.nl/news/2012/04/27/election-date-set-for-12-september.html.34 Government of the Netherlands, Representation of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curacao, and St Maarten (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://www.government.nl/issues/caribbean-parts-of-the-kingdom/representation-of-the-netherlands-in-aruba-curacao-and-st-maarten.35 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.36 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.37 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.38 Annette Schrauwen, Access to Electoral Rights: The Netherlands, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 5 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=131Netherlands-FRACIT.pdf.39 National Assembly Election Act art. 82 (Republic of Slovenia, 2000), available at http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/3825.40 Matej Accetto, Access to Electoral Rights: Slovenia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1318-Slovenia-FRACIT.pdf.41 Matej Accetto, Access to Electoral Rights: Slovenia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1318-Slovenia-FRACIT.pdf.42 National Assembly Election Act art. 69 (Republic of Slovenia, 2000), available at http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/3825.43 National Assembly Election Act art. 82 (Republic of Slovenia, 2000), available at http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/3825.44 Republic of Slovenia, The Commission for Elections has Submitted the Following Notification Concerning the Regular Election of Deputies to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia (Aug. 18, 2000), available at

http://www.mzz.gov.si/nc/en/newsroom/news/article/141/10403/.45 Matej Accetto, Access to Electoral Rights: Slovenia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1318-Slovenia-FRACIT.pdf.46 Matej Accetto, Access to Electoral Rights: Slovenia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1318-Slovenia-FRACIT.pdf.47 Matej Accetto, Access to Electoral Rights: Slovenia, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1318-Slovenia-FRACIT.pdf.48 SPAIN CONST. art. 68(5) (1978), available at http://www.congreso.es/portal/page/portal/Congreso/Congreso/Hist_Normas/Norm/const_espa_texto_ingles_0.pdf.49 Angel Rodriguez, Access to Electoral Rights: Spain, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1315-Spain-FRACIT.pdf.50 Angel Rodriguez, Access to Electoral Rights: Spain, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1315-Spain-FRACIT.pdf.51 Angel Rodriguez, Access to Electoral Rights: Spain, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1315-Spain-FRACIT.pdf.52 Royal Decree 1621/2007 Regulating a Voting Procedure for Spanish Citizens who are Temporarily Abroad art. 3(1) (Spain, 2007), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/NationalElectoralLawsDB/docs/Spain%20-%20National%20-%20Royal%20Decree

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person at a consulate or by post.53

Citizens Permanently AbroadA Spanish citizen who has lived abroad for many years is authorized to determine the electoral district where his/her vote will be cast.54 Spanish consulates will determine when a citizen abroad has sufficient cause and justification for registering to vote or any changes in their district registration.55

SWEDEN In state elections, any citizen who is a registered resident and on the electoral list in Sweden has the right to vote, even if they are abroad on election day.56

Citizens Temporarily AbroadA citizen abroad on election day is able to vote at a Swedish diplomatic mission or by post.57 He/she is eligible to vote for legislation and referendums.58 Citizens temporarily abroad who are voting at a Swedish mission vote no sooner than 24 days prior to election day.59 When this voting period closes depends on how long it takes to transport the completed ballots back to Sweden.60 A citizen temporarily abroad may also vote by post, and he/she can obtain the special postal voting material from the Election Authority.61

Citizens Permanently AbroadEvery citizen permanently living abroad is eligible to vote in Swedish Parliamentary elections if he/she has ever resided in Sweden and was on the electoral registry.62 Citizens living permanently abroad are not eligible to vote in regional or local elections because only citizens who are registered residents are authorized to participate in regional or local elections.63 For the first 10 years a citizen is abroad, he/she is automatically registered on the electoral roll.64 After that time period, he/she must submit a special application to renew voter registration for another 10 years.65 A citizen permanently living abroad but visiting Sweden on election day is recommended to visit the Election Authority to get a new voting card.66 If a citizen permanently abroad does not renew his/her voter registration, then he/she is removed from the electoral roll.67 A citizen permanently abroad is authorized to vote at a Swedish Diplomatic mission.68 Citizens permanently abroad who are voting at a Swedish mission vote no sooner than 24 days prior to election day.69 When this voting period closes depends on how long it takes to transport the completed ballots back to Sweden.70 A citizen permanently abroad may also vote by post, and he/she can obtain the special postal voting material from the Election Authority.71

SWITZERLAND A Swiss citizen living abroad is authorized to vote at the federal level if he/she is registered with a diplomatic mission and is on the electoral roll of his/her commune of origin or former commune.72 He/she can also participate in National Council elections and in referendums.73 He/she can only participate in Council of State elections if allowed by his/her cantonal laws.74 Some cantons allow Swiss citizens abroad to vote on cantonal matters.75 A Swiss citizen abroad is authorized to vote by post.76 The Swiss government does not provide for voting in

%20on%20Spanish%20Citizens%20voting%20from%20abroad%20(EN).pdf.53 Organic Law on the General Electoral System art. 75 (Spain, year of enactment), available at http://www.ine.es/en/oficina_censo/normativaOCE/loreg_voto_no_municipal_en.pdf.54 Angel Rodriguez, Access to Electoral Rights: Spain, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1315-Spain-FRACIT.pdf.55 Organic Law on the General Electoral System art. 36 (Spain, year of enactment), available at http://www.ine.es/en/oficina_censo/normativaOCE/loreg_censoelec_en.pdf.56 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.57 Ace Project, Voting from Abraod (May 2007), available at http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/va/onePage.58 Ace Project, Voting from Abraod (May 2007), available at http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/va/onePage.59 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.60 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.61 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.62 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.63 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.64 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 3 (Jun. 2013), available http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf65 Brennan Center, Appendix: Sweden, 1 (May. 19, 2009), available at http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/publications/Appendix.Sweden.pdf.66 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.67 Brennan Center, Appendix: Sweden, 3 (May. 19, 2009), available at http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/publications/Appendix.Sweden.pdf.68 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.69 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.70 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.71 Hedvig Bernitz, Access to Electoral Rights: Sweden, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 4 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1322-Sweden-FRACIT.pdf.72 Swiss Confederation, Who is Entitled to Vote? (Sep. 4, 2013), available at https://www.ch.ch/en/voting-rights/.73 Nadja Braun, Switzerland: External Voting in a Federal State with Direct Democracy, THE ELECTORAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/va/country-case-studies/switzerland-external-voting-in-a-federal-state.74 Swiss Confederation, Who is Entitled to Vote? (Sep. 4, 2013), available at https://www.ch.ch/en/voting-rights/.75 Organization of the Swiss Abroad, Political Rights (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://aso.ch/en/consultation/living-abroad/political-rights.

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diplomatic missions abroad.77

An expatriate who intends to vote in Swiss elections is required to notify the commune where he/she intends to vote, and he/she must renew this notification every four years.78

UNITED KINGDOM A UK citizen living abroad is eligible to vote in the constituency he/she was registered in prior to departure from the UK.79 He/she must not reside in the UK and must satisfy one of the following two conditions:80

1. He/she was on the register of parliamentary electors at an address in the constituency claimed; that registration derives from the fact that he/she was a resident in that constituency; the registration date was within a 15 year window from the date the citizen wants to vote; and he/she was not registered at any other address.81

2. He/she was last residing in the UK within the 15-year period before the date the citizen wants to vote; he/she was too young to register to vote on the last day he/she resided in the UK; and his/her parent or guardian was on the electoral register with a UK address of residence prior to his/her departure.82

Citizens Temporarily AbroadA UK citizen who is normally present on election day but is abroad (such as business travel or studies abroad) is authorized to vote by post or by proxy.83

Citizens Permanently AbroadA UK citizen living permanently abroad is eligible to register to vote in parliamentary elections for up to 15 years after his/her departure from the UK.84 An expatriate citizen is only authorized to vote in the constituency where they were registered before he/she left the UK.85 He/she is not authorized to vote in local elections or for the devolved assemblies in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.86

76 Organization of the Swiss Abroad, Political Rights (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://aso.ch/en/consultation/living-abroad/political-rights.77 Nadja Braun, Switzerland: External Voting in a Federal State with Direct Democracy, THE ELECTORAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/va/country-case-studies/switzerland-external-voting-in-a-federal-state.78 Nadja Braun, Switzerland: External Voting in a Federal State with Direct Democracy, THE ELECTORAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (Sep. 4, 2013), available at http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/va/country-case-studies/switzerland-external-voting-in-a-federal-state.79 Representation of the People Act art. F1(1) (United Kingdom, 1985), available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/50.80 Representation of the People Act art. F1(2) (United Kingdom, 1985), available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/50.81 Representation of the People Act art. F1(3) (United Kingdom, 1985), available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/50.82 Representation of the People Act art. F1(4) (United Kingdom, 1985), available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/50.83 Lamin Khadar, Access to Electoral Rights: United Kingdom, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 9 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1310-UK-FRACIT.pdf.84 Lamin Khadar, Access to Electoral Rights: United Kingdom, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 6 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1310-UK-FRACIT.pdf.85 Lamin Khadar, Access to Electoral Rights: United Kingdom, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 6 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1310-UK-FRACIT.pdf.86 Lamin Khadar, Access to Electoral Rights: United Kingdom, EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, 6 (Jun. 2013), available at http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1310-UK-FRACIT.pdf.

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expat-overseas voting rights chart

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