By Presidential Decree No. 96 of July 21, 2022, the President of the Republic dissolved Parliament. By Presidential Decree No. 97 of the same day, the date for general elections was set for September 25, 2022. Citizens living abroad shall vote for the candidates of the Foreign Constituencies.
Pursuant to Law No. 459 of December 27, 2001, the Italian citizens residing abroad, registered with the electoral lists of the Overseas Constituencies, shall vote by mail. They will receive the ballot envelope at their address of residence. To this end, it is therefore recommended that they check and regularise their civil status and address with their Consulate, preferably using the online portal of consular services Fast It.
As an alternative option to voting by mail, the citizens registered with AIRE may CHOOSE TO VOTE IN ITALY AT THEIR OWN MUNICIPALITY, by communicating their choice (OPTION) in writing to the Consulate NO LATER THAN JULY 31, 2022 (the 10th day after the calling of elections). This communication may be written on plain paper and – to be valid – must contain the voter’s name, surname, date and place of birth, place of residence and signature, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the declarant’s identity document. For this communication, voters may also use the specific form that can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (www.esteri.it) or that of their relevant consular office.
The voters who choose to vote in Italy in the upcoming general elections will receive from their respective Italian Municipalities the notification card for voting – at polling stations in Italy – for the candidates in national constituencies and not for those in the Overseas Constituencies.
The choice (option) to vote in Italy is valid only for one single election.
It is reiterated, however, that the option MUST BE RECEIVED by the consular office NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER THE CALLING OF ELECTIONS. As provided for by the regulations in force, it shall be the voters’ responsibility to check that the communication of option sent by mail has been received in due time by their consular office.
The choice to vote in Italy can be later REVOKED with a written communication to be sent or delivered to the Consular Office in the same way and within the same terms and time limits as those envisaged for exercising the option.
If the voter chooses to return to Italy to vote, the law does NOT provide for any kind of reimbursement for the travel expenses incurred, but only for reduced rates within the Italian territory. Only the voters residing in countries where the conditions for voting by mail are not met (Law No. 459/2001, art. 20, par. 1-bis) are entitled to be reimbursed 75 per cent of the cost of their travel tickets, in economy class.
The Consular Office is available for any further clarification.
