By Decree of the President of the Republic dated July 17, 2020 and published in the Official Gazette on July 18, 2020, the date of September 20-21, 2020 has been set for the referendum, which was originally set for March 29, 2020 and subsequently suspended, on the text of the constitutional law concerning “amendments to articles 56, 57, and 59 of the Constitution concerning the reduction of the number of parliamentarians”, which involves Italian citizens residing abroad as well.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE is protected by the Italian Constitution and, in accordance with Law n. 459 of December 27, 2001, Italian citizens resident abroad who are registered on the electoral rolls may VOTE BY MAIL. For this purpose, voters are recommended to check with their Consulate to verify and update their personal information and address.
ALTERNATIVELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ITALIAN CITIZENS RESIDENT ABROAD WHO ARE REGISTERED IN THE AIRE (Registry of Italians Resident Abroad) TO CHOOSE TO VOTE IN THEIR REGISTERED MUNICIPALITY IN ITALY by giving written notice of the choice (OPZIONE) BY MAIL OR BY EMAIL (ottawa.elettorale@esteri.it) addressed to the Consular Section of the Embassy within 10 days of the call for vote. Voters who choose to vote in Italy in the upcoming referendum will receive a notification card directly from their respective municipalities in order to vote at the polling stations in Italy.
The choice (opzione) to vote in Italy is only valid for one constitutional referendum.
It is stressed that, in any case, the option MUST ARRIVE at the Consular Office NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS FOLLOWING THE CALL FOR VOTE, THAT IS BY JULY 28, 2020. Such communication may be written freehand and – to be valid – must include the first name, last name, place and date of birth, place of residence and signature of the voter, accompanied by a copy of the voter’s identification document.
For the purpose of this communication, voters may also use the form available for download from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (www.esteri.it) or from the website of their Consular Office.
As stipulated by current legislation, it will be the responsibility of the voters to verify that the communication for the option sent by post has been received in good time by their Consular Office.
The choice to vote in Italy may be subsequently REVOKED by written communication sent or delivered to the Consular Office following the same procedures and within the same deadlines set for the exercise of the option.
If the choice is made to vote in Italy, the law does NOT provide any form of reimbursement for travel expenses, only rate concessions within the Italian territory. Only voters who reside in countries where it is not possible to vote by mail (Law 459/2001, art. 20, comma 1-bis) have the right to a reimbursement of 75% of the cost of the ticket for travel in economy class.
- OPTION TO VOTE IN ITALY: download the form here.
THE CONSULAR OFFICE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS.
