UK voting from abroad
Posted by: Dan M on 05 August 2004
Forum expats,
Well it's all right me sitting here in Colorado, pointing out that if people don't get of their arses and vote we'll see 4 more years, BUT I've never voted in the UK! I left before I was 18, but that's really no excuse. So are there any expats out there who have voted from abroad. How did/do you do it? Will I have to return to 'register' to vote?
cheers,
Dan (also taxed and not represented)
Posted on: 05 August 2004 by Geoff P
Dan
Are you saying you have Dual citizenship? or are you still on a green card?
I thought if you became an american citizen with the right to vote over there you had to give up UK Citizenship and hence the right to vote in the UK.
Now all... Please be polite in telling me I am stupid & wrong
regards
GEOFF
Listening every day planning to "not fade away"
Posted on: 05 August 2004 by Dan M
Geoff,
I'm a permanent resident (aka green card holder), and still have a UK passport/citizenship. So I should be able to vote in UK general elections - right?
Dan
Posted on: 05 August 2004 by Dan M
re: dual citizinship
AFAIK, the US does not require the surrender of passports when you become a US citizen -- just that you pledge allegiance etc. And I don't think the UK cares either. So, it is possible to have dual passports, and vote twice!
A little googling has revealed if I didn't register to vote within the last 15 years, I'm SOL as far as UK voting is concerned.
Dan
Posted on: 05 August 2004 by timster
Don't you also have to be a permanent resident to vote?
timster
Posted on: 05 August 2004 by Brian OReilly
Hallo Dan,
I'm a strong believer in using one's vote, even if it's just to spoil the ballot paper. But I don't vote in the UK. My view is that I can't make an informed opinion due to not living there - information limited/filtered, but also that I don't really have to live with the consequences of my vote. If that makes any sense.
I don't intend to return to the UK, so I guess it's none of my business.
Brian
Vote early, vote twice.
Posted on: 06 August 2004 by Derek Wright
Brian
So what is the difference between a inmate of the UK and the ex pat re awareness - I would suggest the ex pat gets a more balanced view
Derek
<< >>
Posted on: 06 August 2004 by Berlin Fritz
My vote (privelage) by proxy ended some 3 years back after exactly 20 years of living overseas and registered at my last contituancy in UK, where I last woted via the town Hall for Mr Kennedy innit.
Fritz Von Nowi'magreen
Posted on: 06 August 2004 by Brian OReilly
quote:
Originally posted by Derek Wright:
Brian
So what is the difference between a inmate of the UK and the ex pat re awareness - I would suggest the ex pat gets a more balanced view
Derek
<< >>
Yes, there's some truth in what you say there, Derek. I think that also applies to anyone looking at another country from the outside. It's sometimes easier to see through partisan or bigotted or entrenched viewpoints if you're outside of that sphere of influence.
But still, the nuances of political decisions that affect the day-to-day-life of the electorate are probably lost on someone experiencing life in the UK vicariously.
To vote in the UK I think you need to register via your embassy or consulate.
Brian OReilly
Posted on: 06 August 2004 by Berlin Fritz
Thread passim from last year which can be as interesting as coffee grinders etc, if needed ?
One has to be registered, you say the sky is green I say it's yellow, and Arye says it's purple, know wot i mean john ?
Fritz Von Everycaseisdifferent
