Other changes to elections and voting
The government has passed legislation for the following changes which come into force for elections in 2024 onwards:
Until the new legislation has been passed, the current arrangements for voter franchise will remain, that includes for European Union citizens and the current limitations of overseas electors permitted period for registering to vote.
Absent voting, postal and proxy voting
The absent voting, postal and proxy voting changes are as follows:
- political parties and campaigners banned from handling postal votes
- the number of postal votes which a person can hand in at a polling station limited to 6
- postal voters will need to make a fresh application every 3 years, instead of the 5-yearly signature refresh
- electors will only be allowed to act as proxy for up to 4 people, of which no more than 2 can be 'domestic electors' (that is not overseas voters)
- applications will require identity verification - both online and paper applications will include a requirement for the applicant's identity to be verified
- electors will be able to apply online for an absent vote
Changes to postal vote handling rules have been in force since May 2023.
The online application service has been available since July 2023.
The change to the 3-yearly application process is transitional, and start in January 2024.
Changes to postal vote application and new proxy limits apply from May 2024.
EU citizens' voting and candidacy rights
EU citizens will no longer automatically be entitled to register, vote, or stand for election.
The following groups of EU citizens will retain their rights:
- qualifying EU citizens - citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who are resident in the UK, have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who do not need permission
- EU citizens with retained rights - citizens of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 were legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break
These changes apply to all local elections and referendums in England.
Overseas electors
The overseas electors changes are as follows:
- the arbitrary 15-year limit on British citizens living abroad is removed
- overseas electors will be able to register at an address where they were previously registered, or even never registered, where they were last resident
- the registration period is extended from 1 year to 3 years
The overseas electors changes apply from May 2024.
Also see