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Written question asked by Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 4 December 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2023 (named day). It was answered by Simon Hoare (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has had discussions with the (a) Electoral Commission and (b) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the potential merits of an information campaign targeted at UK citizens living overseas to encourage them to register to vote.

Answer

In 2014, the then Coalition introduced Individual Electoral Registration. The Government has no plans to reassess its policy with regard to automatic voter registration for resident UK citizens or for registering UK citizens living abroad. The electoral system in the United Kingdom is trust based and voting is not mandatory. The Government opposes automatic voter registration because such a system would risk increasing errors and inaccuracies in the registers.

The Government understands that the Welsh Government is planning to trial automatic registration for devolved elections and will be paying close attention to any unintended or negative effects on registration for reserved elections.

The UK Government is working with the Electoral Commission to amplify its messaging to increase awareness of the forthcoming removal of the 15-year limit on British citizens’ living abroad and their eligibility to register and vote in UK Parliamentary elections.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5045
Session
2023-24
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
British nationals abroad Electoral register Publicity
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk