Review of EU Citizens

Voting rights for EU citizens have changed

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, voting rights for EU citizens have changed.

To be registered to vote, EU citizens living in England must meet new eligibility criteria below, based on the country that they are from and when they started living in the UK.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council are undertaking a review to determine who is eligible to remain registered and who is no longer eligible and must be removed from the electoral register.

You must meet the new eligibility criteria to remain registered

To remain registered to vote, an EU citizen living in England (who is not a Commonwealth or Irish citizen) must be either:

• a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• a citizen of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break.

Permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (also called 'Leave to Enter or Remain') means you have a legal immigration status.

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, except if you applied as a joining family member, you are eligible to remain registered to vote.

If on or before 31 December 2020, you had indefinite or limited Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, and this has continued without a break, you are eligible to remain registered to vote.

Alternatively, if on or before 31 December 2020 you were resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man but did not need permission to enter or stay because you were exempt from immigration controls, and this has continued without a break, you are eligible to remain registered to vote.

If you have received an e-mail, letter or text about your eligibility to vote

We are required by law to conduct a review of all EU citizens who are registered to vote in Oadby and Wigston.

As part of this review, we are contacting all EU citizens to either:

• Let them know they are still eligible to vote in local elections; or
• If we are unsure whether they are eligible to vote, to ask them to provide information that will be used to confirm whether they are eligible.

If you confirm that you do not meet the eligibility criteria or provide details as requested, you will no longer be eligible to vote.

What do I need to do?

If you have received an e-mail and letter that confirms that you meet the new eligibility criteria, then there is nothing you need to do. You will remain eligible and can vote in upcoming local elections only.

If you are asked to provide information to confirm your eligibility, please follow the instructions in the e-mail, letter or text and respond by the given deadline. This information will only be shared with the Electoral Registration Officer.

You need to reply online by clicking on the button below and using the one-time security code in your e-mail, letter or text.

Reply About Your Voting Rights

Alternatively, complete the paper form and return this to us at elector.registration@oadby-wigston.gov.uk or to Electoral Services, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Brocks Hill Council Offices, Washbrook Lane, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5JJ, or call us on (0116) 288 8961.

What if I have gained new citizenship or changed nationality?

If you have gained new citizenship or changed your nationality since you last registered to vote, then you should re-register online using your new nationality by clicking on the button below.

Re-register to Vote

The changes to your citizenship or nationality may affect your eligibility to vote in some elections.

Where can I find more information?

More information can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/EU