Who Can Vote In The Uk? International Students' Voting Rights

International students in the UK may be eligible to vote in UK elections, depending on their nationality and citizenship. While most countries restrict voting in national elections to their own citizens, some allow foreign nationals to vote in local elections. In the UK, eligibility to vote in local and devolved elections depends on the region in which the individual lives. For example, in Scotland and Wales, all legally resident foreign nationals can register to vote in devolved elections, while in England and Northern Ireland, eligibility is limited to citizens of specific countries. International students who are British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizens and are resident in the UK are eligible to vote.

International students with British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship

International students who are British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizens and are resident in the UK are eligible to vote in UK elections. This eligibility comes from the historic links between the UK and Ireland and between the UK and countries of the former British Empire.

To be considered a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, you must be from a country or territory that is part of the Commonwealth and meet the residency requirements. This includes citizens of the Channel Islands (British Crown Dependencies), the Isle of Man, and British Overseas Territories. If you are a former resident of Hong Kong who holds a British Dependent Territories, British National Overseas (BNO), or British Overseas passport, you are also eligible to vote. Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe retain their voting rights, despite their countries having been suspended from the Commonwealth.

To register to vote in the UK, you must be on the Electoral Register, which is held by each local authority and lists the people who are eligible to vote and their addresses. You can contact your local Electoral Services Office to ask if you are on the Electoral Register. If you are not on the register, you can register online by providing your personal details and National Insurance number. It is important to note that you can only vote at a designated polling station or via a postal vote. Additionally, you will need to show accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving license, as student IDs are not accepted.

Criteria for eligibility to vote in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales

The franchise for devolved elections in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the respective devolved administrations. The devolved elections in Scotland and Wales include local council elections and elections to the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.

Eligibility to vote in local and devolved elections depends on which part of the UK someone lives. Both Scotland and Wales have made changes to reduce the voting age and to allow foreign nationals to vote.

In Scotland, registered 16 and 17-year-olds can vote, and all legally-resident foreign nationals can register to vote. Convicted prisoners serving a sentence of 12 months or less may now register to vote in local and Scottish Parliament elections.

In Wales, the franchise has also been expanded for Senedd Cymru and local elections. Registered 16 and 17-year-olds can vote, and all legally-resident foreign nationals can register to vote for local elections and Senedd Cymru elections.

To vote in the general election, international students must meet the following criteria: they must be 18 years or older on polling day, be a resident at an address in the UK, and be either a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. Most European Union citizens are not eligible to vote in UK general elections. However, citizens of Cyprus, Malta, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands can vote if they live in the UK.

Criteria for eligibility to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland

The criteria for eligibility to vote in local elections vary depending on the part of the UK in which the election is taking place. In England and Northern Ireland, the eligibility criteria for local elections are the same as for UK Parliament elections, with a few exceptions. Here are the criteria for eligibility to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland:

• Nationality and Residence: British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK are eligible to vote. This includes citizens of Cyprus and Malta, which are both EU and Commonwealth countries.
• EU Citizens: Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain who are residents in the UK and have permission to enter or stay in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) can register to vote.
• Pre-Brexit EU Residents: Citizens of any other EU country who were legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have remained resident without a break can register to vote.
• Members of the House of Lords: Members of the House of Lords can vote in local elections if they meet the age and residency requirements.
• Age: Voters must be 18 years or older on polling day.
• Registration: It is essential to be registered to vote at a specific address in the UK. Students can register at both their term-time and home addresses but can only vote once.
• Photo ID: Voters need to present accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. Student ID cards are not accepted as valid voter ID.

It is worth noting that international students, including British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens, may be eligible to vote in the UK if they meet the residency and other eligibility requirements.

Criteria for eligibility to vote in the UK general election

To be eligible to vote in the UK general election, you must meet certain criteria. Firstly, individuals must be registered to vote and have a National Insurance number. Secondly, voters need to show accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. Student ID cards are not accepted as valid voter ID.

In terms of nationality and citizenship, the criteria for eligibility vary depending on the individual's country of origin and their residence status in the UK. British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens who are resident in the UK are eligible to vote in the general election. Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain who are resident in the UK and have permission to enter or stay can register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland.

Additionally, citizens of any other EU country who were legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have remained resident without a break can register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland. Citizens of Cyprus, Malta, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands can vote in the general election if they live in the UK. Students from British overseas territories are also eligible to vote.

It is important to note that eligibility to vote in local and devolved elections depends on the individual's place of residence within the UK. For example, in Scotland and Wales, all legally resident foreign nationals can register to vote in devolved elections.

How to register to vote as an international student

As an international student, you may be eligible to vote in the UK, provided you meet certain criteria. To be eligible to vote in the general election, you must be 18 years or older on polling day and be a resident at an address in the UK. While most European Union citizens are not eligible to vote in UK general elections, citizens of Cyprus, Malta, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands can vote if they live in the UK. Additionally, students from British overseas territories and qualifying Commonwealth citizens who meet the residency requirements are also eligible to vote.

To register to vote as an international student, follow these steps:

• Check your eligibility: Verify that you meet the criteria mentioned above and refer to official government sources or electoral commission websites for detailed information.
• Prepare your documents: You will need to provide your personal details and National Insurance number when registering to vote. Ensure that you have these documents ready.
• Register online: Go to the official government website (www.gov.uk) and register to vote at your term-time address. Provide your personal details and National Insurance number. If you don't have a National Insurance number, you can still register by contacting your local Electoral Services.
• Register by the deadline: Make sure to register by the deadline, which is usually a few weeks before the election. For example, for the general election on 4 July, the deadline to register was midnight on 18 June.
• Receive your polling card: Before the election, you will receive a polling card at your registered address. This card will contain the details of your local polling station.
• Vote in person or by post: On polling day, go to your designated polling station with accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. Alternatively, if you are away from your registered address, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote by the respective deadlines.

Remember, even if you are eligible and registered to vote, you cannot vote twice in a UK general election. You can only vote at one address, either your home or term-time address, during national elections. However, if your home and university addresses are in different local authority areas, you may be able to vote in local elections at both locations.

Frequently asked questions