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Overseas Voting: Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa

Information about casting a ballot in elections in Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Details on who is eligible, how to register and where to vote, including links to electoral commissions.

In this section:

Overseas Voting: Ireland
Overseas Voting: New Zealand
Overseas Voting: South Africa

Canadians living and working outside of the Canada can qualify to vote in general elections if they have:

been away for fewer than five consecutive years when they apply for the right to vote from abroad, and
clearly intend to return to Canada

An absence from Canada of longer than five years disqualifies a Canadian voter from voting, although there are exceptions, including for members of the military.

The National Register of Electors contains the full list of eligible voters. Voters must be 18 years or older.

A qualifying Canadian may vote as a "Canadian citizen residing outside Canada". Registration forms to vote from abroad - the Application for Registration and Special Ballot - and instructions are available online. After being approved and registered, voters will receive a special ballot voting kit at the next election.

To establish eligibility to vote, and for full instructions: Click here

Completed Applications for Registration and Special Ballot forms and supporting documents should be posted to:

Elections Canada
440 Coventry Rd
PO Box 9830 Stn T
Ottawa, ON K1G 5W7
Canada

Canadian party websites

Overseas Voting: Ireland

In order to vote in Irish elections, a voter must be resident in Ireland and their name must be entered on the Electoral Register. A new Electoral Register is compiled each year and is published on 1 November.

An Irish citizen living abroad cannot be entered on the register of electors and therefore may not vote in an election or referendum in Ireland (exceptions exist for Irish officials working overseas).

For detailed information from the Irish Citizens Information website: Click here

Overseas Voting: New Zealand

Eligible citizens of New Zealand may vote overseas in general elections.

For detailed information about elections and voting, see the Elections New Zealand website: Click here

In order to be eligible, a voter must be 18 years of age or older and enrolled on the electoral register. Enrolment and voting can take place outside New Zealand provided certain requirements are met. The voter must be a New Zealand citizen and have visited New Zealand within the last three years, or be a permanent resident of New Zealand and have visited New Zealand in the last 12 months.

An overseas voter may apply for voting papers. These are available online for download. The application brochure can be printed, completed and sent by post to:

Overseas Voting
Chief Electoral Office
Ministry of Justice
P O Box 3220
Wellington
New Zealand
For full details on overseas enrolment: Click here
For full details on overseas voting: Click here
To download the application for overseas postal voting: Click here

Overseas Voting: South Africa

Elections in South African are managed by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). South Africans living and working outside of the country may vote in national general elections providing they are registered voters and on the electors roll. The voter must complete a Notification for Overseas Votes (VEC 10) form, and send it to the IEC. These forms are made available before elections once election dates have been announced.

Voting then takes place at a South African Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in their place of residence, on a date prior to the actual elections and set by the Independent Electoral Commission.

Voter registration

South African citizens over the age of 16, who have a green, bar-coded ID book may register to vote. Voting may take place from the age of 18. Consult the local South African Consulate for information on the procedures for overseas voting.