EXPLAINED: How islanders can vote in the UK general election

Tuesday 28 May 2024

As the countdown begins for the general election, Express has compiled a step-by-step guide for Jersey residents who previously lived in the UK on how to register and vote...

In January, an estimated three million British citizens who lived abroad for more than 15 years regained the right to vote in all UK elections – including many Channel Islands residents.

This change followed the implementation of the Elections Act 2022, which scrapped the previous rule that someone could only register to vote for 15 years after they left the UK.

This means that millions more can be enfranchised in time for the next general election on 4 July.

Pictured: Choose whether to vote by post or by proxy (when someone votes on your behalf.)

Voting rights will be based on the last UK address where citizens were registered to vote or previously lived.  

Here is a step-by-step guide for Jersey residents on how to register to vote in UK elections…

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Anyone who previously lived in the UK and registered to vote whilst living there is eligible to vote in the upcoming general election.

Islanders can vote in a constituency where they previously lived or were on the electoral roll – as long as they are not legally excluded from voting.

Those who cannot vote include those serving a jail sentence, and peers from the House of Lords.

Pictured: You can vote in a constituency where they previously lived or were on the electoral roll.

 The deadline to register to vote in the general election is 23:59 on Tuesday 18 June.

Step 2: Gather Information

Voters should have to hand a scanned copy of their passport as well as the last UK address where they were registered to vote or lived 

Pictured: You must choose where you want your ballot to be sent if you are postal voting. 

Step 3: Register Online

Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register online if voting in England, Scotland or Wales.

For Northern Ireland, voters will need to request a paper registration form.

They will need to choose to vote by proxy (if eligible) or by post. 

Pictured: You can indicate you are based in Jersey so you cannot provide a National Insurance number. 

Step 5: Apply for Postal/Proxy Vote Online

• Indicate if you have already registered in the UK and if there have been any name changes since then
• Provide your last UK registered address and postcode
• Choose if the postal vote goes to the UK or an overseas address
• Enter name, previous names, date of birth
• As you won't have a National Insurance number, upload an ID like a passport
• Indicate you are based in Jersey so you cannot provide a National Insurance number
• Write your signature on white paper and upload a photo of it following the instructions on the website
• Provide contact details

Pictured: Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a National Insurance number to register to vote. You can use a passport or driving license instead.

READ MORE...

British citizens now have lifelong right to vote