Overview

This bill aims to make it easier for British citizens living abroad to vote in UK parliamentary elections. It removes time limits on overseas residency for voting eligibility, tasks the Electoral Commission with helping register overseas voters, and introduces internet voting with safeguards against fraud.

Description

The Overseas Voters Bill seeks to significantly improve voting access for UK citizens residing overseas. Key aspects include:

• Increased Voter Registration: The Electoral Commission is mandated to actively identify and assist in the registration of eligible overseas voters.
• Extended Eligibility Criteria: The bill removes any time limits based solely on length of time spent abroad as a barrier to registration and voting.
• Internet Voting: The Secretary of State is required to create regulations enabling internet voting for registered overseas voters. These regulations must include robust measures to prevent fraud and ensure only eligible individuals can vote. Parliamentary approval of these regulations is required.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, costs will likely be incurred by the Electoral Commission for identifying and assisting overseas voters, and by the government for developing and implementing secure internet voting systems.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• British citizens living overseas: They will experience potentially easier voter registration and the option of internet voting.
• The Electoral Commission: They will have new responsibilities for voter registration support.
• The government: They will be responsible for creating and implementing the internet voting system and associated security measures.

Powered by nyModel