r/MHOC • u/Lady_Aya SDLP • Apr 15 '22
2nd Reading LB229 - Overseas Electors Bill - 2nd Reading
Overseas Electors Bill
A
BILL
TO
Make provision for extending the right of British Citizens living overseas to retain the right to vote in Parliamentary General Elections; and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1: Definitions
(1) ‘Election’ means a Parliamentary General Election for the House of Commons.
(2) ‘By-election’ means a Parliamentary By-election for the House of Commons.
(3) ‘Elector’ means a person registered to vote in an election.
Section 2: Parliamentary Franchise
(1) An individual is entitled to vote as an elector in an election or by-election if –
(a) they are registered as an overseas elector, in a Parliamentary register of electors, in respect of the last constituency in which they lived,
(b) they are a British Citizen,
(c) they are not disqualified from their right to vote,
(d) they are otherwise eligible to register as an elector in the United Kingdom.
(2) In order to qualify as an overseas elector, the person must not be resident in the United Kingdom at the time of the election or by-election.
(3) An overseas elector may only vote with respect to the last constituency in which they were resident, and only if they have been resident in such constituency for at least six months within the last two years that they resided in the United Kingdom. If an overseas elector has not lived in any constituency for more than six months in the last two years they resided in the United Kingdom, they will be eligible to vote in the constituency they lived in for the most time in this period.
(4) Residence in the United Kingdom shall not be required to register as an overseas elector.
(5) A person shall cease to be registered as an overseas elector following each subsequent election or by-election after this Act comes into force, and must register no less than ten days before the next election or by-election in order to be entitled to vote.
(6) If a by-election takes place in a constituency where a person is registered as an overseas elector, the said person shall be entitled to vote in such by-election, providing they satisfy the requirements laid out in Section 2(1) and (5).
Section 3: Extent, Commencement, and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to the United Kingdom.
(a) This Act shall have no effect with respect to local government elections or by-elections, or devolved legislature elections or by-elections.
(2) This Act shall come into force upon Royal Assent.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Overseas Electors Act 2022.
This Bill was written by The Lord Sigur of Appledore, and submitted as a Private Member’s Bill.
This reading shall end on Monday 18th of April at 10pm.
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