With the July 17, 2020 Decree of the President of the Republic, published on July 29, 2020 in the Official Journal of Laws and Decrees (“Gazzetta Ufficiale”), the date for a Confirming Popular Referendum on the “changes to articles 56, 57 e 59 of the Constitution with regards to the number of Parliament representatives” – previously set for March 29 and then put on hold – is now set for September 20-21, 2020. Citizens who reside abroad will be able to vote.
VOTING is a RIGHT protected by the Italian Constitution, and in accordance with Law no. 459 of December 27, 2001, Italian citizens who reside abroad and are registered on the electoral rolls of the overseas constituency can VOTE BY MAIL. Please check with your consulate to ensure that your personal data and address are up-to-date.
IF YOU ARE REGISTERED IN AIRE, ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN CHOOSE TO VOTE IN ITALY IN YOUR OWN MUNICIPALITY, by giving written notice of your choice (OPTION) to the Consulate within 10 days of the July 17 Decree of the President of the Republic. Voters who choose to vote in Italy for the upcoming referendum will receive the voting notification card from their respective municipalities in order to vote at the polling stations in Italy.
The choice (option) to vote in Italy is only valid for one referendum.
In any case, the option to vote in Italy MUST ARRIVE at the Consular Office of the Embassy NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER THE DATE IN WHICH THE REFERENDUM HAS BEEN CALLED, THAT IS, BY JULY 28, 2020. To be valid this written communication can be made on plain paper and must include name, last name, date and place of birth, residence address and signature of the voter. A copy of his/her valid identification document with signature must be included with the written communication.
Voters can also use the form available for download on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.esteri.it) or here.
As provided by law, voters will be responsible for ensuring that notification of the option sent by mail has been received within the allotted time period by the Consulate responsible for their jurisdiction of residence.
The choice to vote in Italy may be subsequently WITHDRAWN by written notification sent or delivered to the Consular Office using the same procedures and within the same time frame set forth in order to exercise the option.
By law, those voters opting to return to Italy to vote are NOT entitled to any type of reimbursement for travel costs, but they may be eligible for certain fee waivers within the Italian territory. Only voters who reside in countries that do not meet the conditions for voting by mail (Law 459/2001, article 20, paragraph 1-bis) will have the right to reimbursement of 75% of the cost of travel in economy class.
THE CONSULAR OFFICE IS AVAILABLE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION.
