For anyone interested in the voting procedure for the European elections when you live abroad, read on. As an expat, returning ‘back home’ to vote in person in national elections is not always possible. Time and money being the main constrains. Voting in person for the upcoming EP elections in this sense, is no different. So, in a seemingly no fuss way, I will be sending my vote by post. Signed, sealed, delivered. Simple!
To verify that there would be no slip-ups however, I thought I would double-check the procedures. A look on the EP website gave no easy answer regarding dates I would need to register by etc (no surprises there). So, I thought I would call my friendly EP representation office in Athens.
I was happy they were genuinely polite even if they were unhelpful (anyone who has had any dealings with the Greek public services will understand why I was happy). I did wonder if they had had any calls recently, who uses the EP representation offices anyway? I can’t really understand why a whole team of staff is needed here, as well as in Brussels. Anyway, they told me to call the British embassy in Athens to check on the procedure for British citizens wishing to vote in EP elections.
Ok this is where I start to get a bit angry. Shouldn’t the EP representations make it their business to KNOW these kinds of things! Surely out of all the priorities that they have as an office this should be a busy time of year when they make it their priority to at least have some idea. Anyway, this is not a gripe directed at public servants so moving on. I called the British embassy, ‘it has nothing to do with us’ was the reply, ‘call or e mail the local authority you are registered to vote at’.
Ok, at this point I am starting to wonder if there have been ANY communications from central authorities, either EP or Government that EP elections are taking place soon. Some briefing must be floating around someone’s inbox outlining procedures like this. I thought I would ask a few follow-up questions since I was not sure if, or when, I would get a response from my local authority, plus it was a slow day at the office. ‘We have absolutely nothing to do with voting here at the British embassy’.
Good to know for future reference. Embassies know absolutely nothing about voting procedures, and why should they, its only the single most democratic event in the whole political calendar. She was able to direct me to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk website which I had access to, and to be fair, the e mail I sent to my local authority received a reply really quickly. Within one email exchange my registration form for the postal vote was sent to my postal address here.
I kept thinking - it should be easier than this. Intuitively, voting in European Parliament elections when I am a European citizen should mean I can add my name to an electoral register in the European country I reside in, and have a residence permit to be in. I am registered by the police as residing here and I am paying taxes here. I may accept that it does not make sense for me to vote in national elections when I don’t have citizenship, but surely, if there is any point in EU wide voting at all, it should be a little more streamlined. I, as an expat, should be entitled to chose where I will vote in European elections. In fact I should be able to vote for candidates of the European country I reside in but am not a citizen in. Before anyone still reading pounces on a long list of legislative pre-conditions or issues of sovereignty I am talking about it more generally (btw if there is anyone still reading, thanks).
I would be interested to know if any European expat who will be voting from abroad, has experienced the procedure any differently? Or if their local EP office or embassy responded differently?
For instance, in the UK if you are voting in EP elections but you are not a British citizen, there is a nice automated online system for registering to vote. Will any expats be voting in their embassies or know any other systems in play that are not post or proxy? Just hoping I might be pleasantly surprised that things are more advanced than they seem. I wish electronic voting would hurry up! It would make more sense. I have had quite a lot of my post go missing. My concern is that if I don’t get the registration form in time (not an unlikely possibility that there will be a strike) it will be too late to vote. The ballot paper has to arrive on election day but cannot be sent out until four working days before day of election - you do the maths.
Be aware that if you don’t register to vote by post soon it might be too late !
(11 votes, average: 3.82 out of 5)
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“voting in European Parliament elections when I am a European citizen should mean I can add my name to an electoral register in the European country I reside in, and have a residence permit to be in”
In principle, that’s what it does mean. Citizenship of the EU as defined by the Maastricht Treaty includes the right to vote in one’s country of residence in both municipal and EP elections. A British national, I have voted in both, in France, since Maastricht came into effect (1993), simply by registering at the local town hall.
All member states are signatories to Maastricht and should enable any EU citizen to register to vote locally. Whether all countries do so willingly and efficiently is of course another matter…
Hi John,
Thanks for the info - I can’t help but be annoyed that the EP reps office did not tell me this over the phone. I will try registering to vote at the town hall here but I suspect mention of Maastricht here will not have the same impact as in France.
Just to clarify then, you were able to vote in EP elections for French candidates?
This is a great post about a very simple procedure and the lack of information even in the circles that should be informed. Why is the EU often so lame in knowing what it can and does? And Christina: Would you like to vote for the Greek parties? In what way does their programme differ from the UK parties? Could also be an interesting post, you having a double perspective.
Here in Italy, I can vote in local and European elections (I’m a UK citizen) but I have to register as a resident first. This is a lengthy process, and takes weeks to sort out and a lot of hassle.
So - it is possible. It’s just a huge amount of effort. Ugh.
I’m thinking it might be better to vote by post.
Or possibly by proxy.
They only send out the ballot FOUR days before the elections? No chance.
Good post with pertinent questions!
I twittered this, maybe someone has good answers.
And your anger is legitimate: The EP representation in a country should care a lot on the voting procedures, both for national and for all other EU citizens… If they don’t, they are not doing their job properly!
As a Greek citizen living this period of my life in UK, I didn’t really have to do much to be able to vote here for the Euro-elections. The local town hall has sent me an application form to fill in …when? Even last year!!!
In their covering letter they wrote: “after checking our archives, you are appear as a citizen of one of the European Union countries […] and you are eligible to vote in the UK at the EP election. Please fill in the form”…bla bla bla….
It is certainly an automated procedure for sure, but at the same time it is a little bit scary that they know where I live and all that…as I recently changed houses…
In any case, if I were you, I would have voted for Greek candidates, as you live there at the moment, as I will vote for the Yorkshire and the Humber candidates!!! This is what Europe is all about: exchanges!!!
Comment on your phrase: “As an expat, returning ‘back home’….”.. Well, it is always interesting to know what we mean “home”, who are our compatriots or why we consider ourselves as “expats”? I know you have a complicated but extremely interesting personal/family story to share, Christina…. And I would like to see where/how and why you place (or not) yourself within your “hostland”, “homeland”, “no mans land” ..or whatever!!!! Maybe an extra post?
Christina,
Yes, it means you vote in your country of residence for candidates of that country.
Stergios gives another example of how it’s supposed to work.
I didn’t have to mention Maastricht or anything (though it is in fact a legally binding treaty and Greece must certainly have made provision for this aspect of it - even though communications around it may be lacking!). In France, the electoral lists maintained by municipalities have a “supplementary” list composed of EU citizens. French citizens on the main list may vote in all elections; those on the “supplementary” list may vote in local (municipal) elections, and European elections.
Proof of residence was, when I first registered, the residence permit. Now these are no longer required, it’s sufficient to show proof such as rates bills, rent, electricity/telephone or other, (as French citizens could also be asked to do). That’s how it worked when I re-registered after a move.
To the broader points: yes, the EU communicates poorly on citizens’ rights, and in fact shows a general disregard for the question. See my post on European Tribune last year, Life, Love, Death and the EU.
In case that html is not allowed in comments here, here’s the URL again:
http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2008/7/2/95710/62582
Ok, my 5 cents. I’m currently living in the Netherlands, but I’m a citizen of the Republic of Latvia, therefore I needed to go through a similar procedure as you.
Couple months ago I searched information about it on the website of The Central Election Commission of Latvia, where there is info also abt EP elections. Couldn’t find anything abt voting abroad, so I just went on without it…
Today I remembered that I should do it again and I checked the website again - luckily there was info, that till 7th May I should send a letter to the Embassy of Foreign Affairs giving my Dutch address and then I’ll be able to vote through post. Simply as this!
Furthermore, I am not registred in the Netherlands (as it’s only a temporary location, not permanent), but, if I would, then I would be able to choose if I want to vote for Latvian or Dutch candidates - if I vote for Latvian, I can’t vote for Dutch and other way around. As far as I know, it’s the same situation in any other EU country.
Hope it gave you more insight in this matter
Thank you!! I just made 2 more calls. The first was to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The person I spoke to was at first convinced that I could not vote for Greek MEP candidates or in municipal elections. Then when I played the Maastricht card..(woo it holds power) she told me to contact the Hellenic Ministry of Interior.
Here is where I hit jackpot. As you said, I can vote for Greek candidates and this has now been confirmed by an official whose job involves informing citizens (1 out of 4 ain’t bad). This IS what I want to do btw - vote for Greek candidates. All I have to do is register in the electoral roll.
However:
“For the European Parliament elections of 7th June 2009, the deadline for the registration in the electoral roll, is on 3 March 2009.”
http://www.ypes.gr/ekloges/content/EN/europ_fr.htm
What to say - I am disappointed. I am at fault here because I should have found this out earlier. It is my responsibility as a voter to find out about procedures. Still, anger remains at the fact that had I not had my own ‘th!nk’ pool of information, I would have made no progress on this.
This is yet another example reiterating the problems the EU has communicating citizens rights, the lack of adequate communication channels between the EU and national governments and the discrepancies between Member States. Lots more to say on this but the fact remains that the information I needed to have obtained earlier was not as accessible as it should have been.
Thanks for your help. The good news is I can now go and register for municipal and the next EP elections. Thanks also for the questions and ideas for posts- am working on it.
Would be glad to hear any responses
Hi Christina,
the issue you raise is very important, it affects so many people, thousands, maybe even millions of voters, I don’t know.
Now, who is actually responsible for informing expats about their voting rights? Is it the government of origin? The government of residence? The local authorities in both countries?
This should be an issue of discussion during the next EP elections, because I guess now it is too late.
Has the EP have any clue how many voters learn about their rights too late?
How many people do not cast their vote just because, like you, did not receive the necessary information on time?
What if you were registered on time? Maybe, you could have voted for your favorite candidate, or even have changed results! Who knows?
I’m from Spain and I live in Denmark, and the process to register to vote was very easy. They sent me a letter telling me to send a form and to return it to the municipality office. Then I got a letter telling me I was registered. All the process was during last week. In 2006 I also voted in the municipal elections here.
Yesterday was the last day to register. I wish I have talked to more European friends here and encouraged them to vote.
I feel I’m first European and I know many of them feel so too.
I have a similar problem only I am a Spanish passport holder who has lived in the UK all her life, went to British schools, has only ever worked and paid taxes in the UK yet I went to vote in European elections today and was told I was not allowed. How as a European passport holder am I not allowed to vote in European elections but I am allowed to vote in the local elections. If I want to vote in European election I have to vote by postal vote as sent to me by the Spanish government.
However my dilema is that I do not know any of the political parties in Spain so I would not know who I am voting for so in which case this is as much a wasted vote as not voting at all.
As an EEC passport holder I along with all other EEC passport holders should be able to vote in the European election in the country in which they reside and pay their taxes.
Do you accept guest articles? I just like the way how you wrote TH!NK ABOUT IT - european blogging competition 2009 » Blog Archive » Expat voting and why I am still a foreigner in European elections, I’m in this topic for ages and I would adore to write several articles right here when you think.
Looks like quite a few xbox fanatics here, I am a fan too and enjoy to play video games… my girlfriend says I play too much, but man it’s so fun. I’ve been playing callofduty: mw2 and halo 3 for weeks and can’t stop! What would you gamers recommend? In any case, looks like a sweet site, is this wordpress? I’ve made a couple pages myself and ain’t easy. Cheers for taking time to post.
Very good article which people should think about.