An estimated 3.5 million Britons living overseas will now be eligible to vote in UK general elections, marking one of the largest expansions in the country’s electoral franchise in a century. The change in the law, approved by parliament in 2022, removes the previous restriction on voting rights for UK citizens who have lived overseas for over 15 years. Ahead of an upcoming election scheduled for later this year, this change is considered the most significant alteration to the voter rolls since granting women equal voting rights in 1928 and lowering the voting age to 18 in 1969.
The new law allows Britons worldwide to register to vote online, regardless of the duration of their stay overseas. Registered overseas voters will now also have the right to donate to political parties and campaigners, in accordance with UK election laws. In the previous election held in December 2019, approximately 233,000 overseas voters were registered, largely attributed to the impact of Brexit.
The government predicts that this reform could enfranchise around 3.5 million people, nearly triple the 1.3 million votes that determined the outcome of the 2016 EU membership referendum. This number also exceeds the difference in the vote tallies for Britain’s two leading parties, the Conservatives and Labour, in five out of the last six general elections.
However, it remains uncertain how many of the newly eligible 3.5 million UK citizens living abroad will successfully register to vote. To register, applicants must provide details of their address and the time they were last registered to vote or living in Britain. Local authorities are responsible for verifying an applicant’s identity and confirming their previous connection to the region, in accordance with the requirements set by the Electoral Commission.
It is important to note that UK elections employ a first-past-the-post system, which means lawmakers are elected in 650 individual constituencies, disregarding the overall vote counts received by political parties. Unlike some other countries, the United Kingdom does not facilitate in-person voting overseas, requiring all ballots to be cast by post or through proxy voting in the UK.
To raise awareness of this significant rule change, the Electoral Commission is launching a publicity campaign and collaborating with partner organizations. Their aim is to inform eligible voters worldwide, urging those with friends and family abroad to help spread the news. Research conducted by Britain’s Office for National Statistics indicates that the largest numbers of British emigrants reside in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and EU member countries.
The amendment to election law comes after persistent advocacy efforts, including the longstanding Votes for Life campaign led by an overseas branch of the Conservative Party. Heather Harper, chair of the Conservatives Abroad group, highlights how this change puts Britain on par with the United States, France, Italy, and New Zealand in recognizing the importance of their citizens around the world.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to call for an election no later than January 2025, with his working assumption being a contest held in the latter half of this year. With this historic expansion of the electorate, the upcoming UK general election promises to be an even more significant event, capturing the voices and votes of millions of overseas Britons who can now participate in shaping the country’s political landscape.
