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FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I've recently read something on the Net (Telegraph Expat pages) which points out that people who have been registered in the UK to vote but now live abroad are in danger of becoming disenfranchised.

It used to be that there was a 20 year period in which one's registration could be in abeyance; this has now been reduced to 15 years. If you have previously been on the electoral roll and have not re-registered for no more than 15 years, you can still register.

You need to contact the district where you were last registered (you can easily do a search on the net) and submit the re-registration forms NO LATER THAN 11th MARCH.

As we don't have the right to vote in our adopted country, it seems to me we should try to retain a vote in our country of origin. After all, we could all end up voting in EU elections, whether here or there.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I've just received a circular from the consulate here in Izmir giving the same information.

Additionally they give this website www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and point out that you can vote (as an expat) by post or by proxy. If you were too young to vote when you left UK, providing your parent or guardian was registered, you can still do it.

the pusherman · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Location: istanbul

Dear FGT,

thanks for the info about that. If I wasn't so disillusioned with the whole electoral system, or if there was someone really worth voting for, then I might act on it.
You're right, though, it would be a shame to lose the vote in some future election where it could make a difference.
No doubt The Telegraph is hoping that some of its readership will vote and give the vampire a chance - they must be getting desperate!