13. Voting methods for citizens resident abroad

Almost all Member States allow the possibility to vote from abroad in EP elections. Some Member States require voters to pre-register with their national electoral authorities to be eligible to vote from abroad by post or at an embassy/consulate. In some Member States (e.g. DK), voting at embassies takes place prior to election day; and in some, postal votes may be submitted at embassies/consulates. In several Member States, the right to vote abroad applies only to citizens living in another EU Member State (e.g. BG, IT). In addition, most Member States make special arrangements for diplomats and military personnel serving abroad.
Amendments to the 1976 Electoral Act, to which Parliament gave its consent in plenary in July 2018 (but are yet to be ratified by certain Member States), state that Member States may provide for the possibilities of advance voting, postal voting, and electronic and internet voting in elections to the European Parliament. Where they do so, they shall adopt measures sufficient to ensure in particular the reliability of the result, the secrecy of the vote, and the protection of personal data in accordance with applicable Union law. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that double voting in elections to the European Parliament is subject to effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties. Finally, Member States may take the necessary measures to allow those of their citizens residing in third countries to vote in elections to the European Parliament.