Outside of Italy, Italian citizens residing abroad who are registered voters in the Overseas District may vote by correspondence. They can do so by casting their vote for the candidates listed on the ballot for the “Circoscrizione Estero” (Overseas District).

 

All voters residing abroad that do not opt  to vote in Italy before January 3 will receive a packet by mail before February 6 from their respective Consular Office containing: an instruction sheet on the voting procedures, the electoral certificate, a ballot (two for voters over the age of 25, therefore eligible to vote also for the Senate), one blank white envelope for the ballots, a stamped envelope bearing the address of the Consular Office of jurisdiction, and the list of candidates for the Electoral zone of residence.

 

The stamped envelope containing the ballots, completed as indicated by the instruction sheet, must be sent by mail as soon as possible in order to reach the Consular Office by – and no later than – 4:00 pm (local time) on February 21.

 

The vote is personal and secret. Voting more than once or voting on another’s behalf is prohibited. Violators of the law will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Voters who have not received a complete packet by February 10 should contact their respective Consular office to verify their electoral status and, if necessary, request a duplicate.

 

 

 

THE CONSULAR OFFICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ([email protected])

 

SPECIFIC INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT  www.esteri.it [3]

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION

 

 

Alternatively, you may elect to vote at your Municipality in Italy, notifying this decision in writing to the Consulate within the time period allotted by law (OPTION = OPZIONE).

The decision (option) to vote in Italy is valid for one election only.

 

Those wishing to vote in Italy must notify the Consulate responsible for their jurisdiction in writing by JANUARY 3, 2013 (ten days after the election has been called). No special paper format is required for the written notification. However, in order to be valid it must contain the voter’s first and last name, date and place of birth, place of residence, and signature. You may also use the form (herewith attached) also available at the Consulate, the Patronati, the associations, the COMITES; the form can also be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.esteri.it [4]) or of the Consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of your residence.

 

Proof of identification of the declarant must accompany any declaration that is not delivered in person.

 

Pursuant to current law, voters must verify that mailed notification of their option has been received within the allotted time period by the Consulate responsible for their jurisdiction of residence.

 

Voters who choose to vote in Italy for the coming political elections will receive from their respective Italian Municipalities the notification card to vote in Italy for candidates in the National Districts, not those for the Overseas District. By law, those opting to return to Italy to vote are not entitled to any reimbursement for travel costs, but they are eligible for certain fee waivers within Italian territory. The decision to vote in Italy may be revoked later by written notice to be sent or delivered to the Consulate using the same means and within the same terms envisioned for the option.