Postal votes may not arrive in time

EXPATS voting by post at the next UK General Election may not have their votes counted, the British election authorities admit.

The Electoral Commission, which oversees voting in the UK, says that postal ballots usually go out about a week before polling day, but sometimes as little as four working days before. In the latter case returning them by polling day would be impossible.

Neither French nor British postal service give guaranteed delivery times, but Royal Mail says mail to France usually arrives within three working days, while La Poste says post usually arrives in the UK within two to three working days.

The Electoral Commission admits in its notes for those registering to vote from abroad that the time allowed “may not be enough for you to return your postal ballot paper before voting closes, so voting by post may not be the best way for you to vote.” You may want to consider a proxy vote instead, they say – which involves having to find someone in the UK who can vote in person for you in your old constituency, and which means you lose your right to a secret vote.

The problem results from election timetable rules that say nomination papers for candidates must be in by 16.00, 11 working days before polling day. Voters can apply for postal votes until 17.00 the same day, after which ballot papers can be sent out. Returning officers are advised to send out ballots “as soon as possible” but no exact deadline it set.

Technical issues involving ballot printing may also slow the process. The timescale means any postal vote is likely to be hit-and-miss.

This is despite the fact that politicians of all parties have told Connexion that the expat vote could play an important role this time.

While no official date has been called, May 6 is the likely choice to coincide with local UK elections.

A spokeswoman for the commission said prompt sending of ballots by returning officers depends partly on how long before polling day the election is announced.

“If the election is announced in good time, the returning officers have more time to prepare and get printers ready to send out papers as soon as possible,” she said.

A government spokeswoman said the current deadlines have the benefit of giving voters a long time to register for vote. She added that before 2000, proxy voting was the only method for expats, so they now had “greater choice.”

The spokeswoman added that the Electoral Commission’s guidance said sufficient staff must be in place to deal with postal voting.

“It will be for individual voters to decide if postal voting is suitable for them depending on their circumstances,” she said.

If you need to apply for a vote see www.aboutmyvote.com

Another site run by the Conservatives offers to help find a person to vote in proxy for you - www.dontleaveyourvoteathome.com Other parties may also be able to help.

The first step has been taken to overturn a British rule which states those who have been outside the country for more than 15 years lose their right to vote. Lawyers acting for James Preston, a Briton living in Spain, have applied for judicial review of this rule in the British courts.

They say it penalises Britons exercising their right to free movement within the EU.