British Citizens living abroad
if you are a British Citizen living overseas who has previously lived in the UK or been registered to vote in the UK, you can register to vote as an overseas elector.
Overseas electors are eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections and Referendums (if the referendum franchise includes overseas voters).
Several changes to voting from overseas now apply:
- You can register to vote if you previously lived in the UK but were not registered to vote.
- You can register to vote as an overseas elector no matter how long ago you left the UK or were last registered to vote in the UK.
- Your overseas declaration will be valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect (for example, if your declaration takes effect on 1 March 2024, it will expire on 1 November 2026).
If you are an overseas voter who registered to vote before 16 January 2024, you will need to renew your registration when your declaration expires. We will write to you to let know who to renew, as you are not able to renew online.
If you have a long-term postal vote that you applied for before 31 October 2023, this will now expire on 31 January 2026. We will contact you before it expires to let you know what you need to do to renew your postal vote.
Voting as an overseas elector
If you are an overseas elector and not able to go to your polling station in Rotherham, you will need to consider applying for either a postal or proxy vote.
Postal ballot papers are usually sent to overseas voters two to three weeks before polling day and completed postal ballot papers must reach the Returning Officer by 10pm on polling day, otherwise it will not be counted.
Postal votes can be affected by problems with international post systems, and it can't be guaranteed that they will arrive in time. Appointing a proxy is the best way to make sure you're able to cast your vote.
Overseas electors can apply for a postal or proxy vote online:
