Register to vote

British citizens living abroad

If you are a British citizen, you can register to vote as an overseas elector. You will then be entitled to vote at UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections, but not local government elections, so you will not be able to vote in local elections in the London Borough of Croydon, for the Mayor of London or to the Greater London Assembly.

Due to changes brought in by an Election Act 2022, the 15-year limit on voting for British citizens living abroad has been removed. Any British citizens who were previously registered to vote in the UK or who previously lived in the UK will now be able to register to vote as an overseas elector.

The registration period for overseas voters has been extended from one year to three years, and voters will be able to refresh their absent vote (postal or proxy) at the same time.

For more information and to register please go to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

HM armed forces

Service personnel and their wives, husbands and civil partners have the option of making a service declaration, which means that they will remain registered for 5 years. After that period, it must be renewed. The electoral services office will send a renewal reminder form.

Crown servants and British Council employees are classed as service voters. Their declarations and those of their spouses do not require proof.

To register as a service elector visit: Register to vote (armed forces).