Voting for students living away from home in general elections, referendums and European elections is here: here’s how it works

A surprise move by the ruling coalition on the electoral law. In the forthcoming general and European elections, as well as in the referendum, voters living away from their registered place of residence will not be required to return to their municipality of residence to vote, but will be able to exercise their right to vote in the municipality where they are currently living for study, work or medical treatment. With four days to go before the electoral law is debated in the Chamber of Deputies, an initial agreement within the centre-right on further amendments to the Bignami reform has been reached on a point where it seemed difficult to find both political consensus and a technical solution. The proposal on voting rights for those living away from home was announced by the youth leaders of the coalition parties: Fabio Roscani (Fdi), Luca Toccalini (Lega), Simone Leoni (Fi) and Maria Chiara Fazio (Nm).

Contrary to expectations, but in keeping with a commitment made right from the start in committee, the centre-right has therefore reached an agreement on an important and popular issue such as voting rights for students living away from home. And so, whilst differences of opinion on preferences remain, an amendment has been agreed upon by the entire majority which will allow a significant number (some estimate as many as a few million) of voters, once the reform has been approved, to vote where they are currently living, even if – for reasons of study, work or health – this is a different place from where they are officially registered and therefore listed on the electoral roll.

Anyone wishing to vote in the forthcoming general and European elections or in referendums, but who is unable to return to their city of residence, will be able to cast their vote for candidates in the constituency where they are registered as resident. This, in brief, is the content of the amendment to the electoral law tabled in the Chamber of Deputies by the majority. The text, consisting of a single article with seven paragraphs and entitled ‘Exercise of the right to vote by voters away from their registered address during general and European elections, as well as in referendums provided for in Articles 75 and 138 of the Constitution’, explained Roscani, provides that students, workers living away from home and people receiving medical treatment away from their place of residence will be able to register by 31 December and vote in the place where they are registered as residents. They will therefore be registered on special ‘non-resident’ lists, and the local authority hosting them – where they are domiciled – will register them with the ordinary polling stations where they will be able to vote’. The amendment provides for those living away from home to vote in the municipality where they are temporarily domiciled for reasons of study, work or medical treatment. Paragraph 2, in fact, stipulates: ‘Within 30 days of moving to a municipality other than their municipality of residence and/or, in any event, by 31 December of each year, voters who, for reasons of study, work or medical treatment, are temporarily domiciled, for a period of at least nine months, in a municipality situated in a province other than that in which the municipality on whose electoral roll they are registered is located – hereinafter referred to as ‘voters away from their registered place of residence’ – may apply for registration on the list’ specifically established at the municipal electoral office “in order to vote in the municipality of temporary residence in the elections referred to in paragraph 1 (general elections, European elections and referendums). The application for inclusion on the register of voters away from their usual place of residence – as stated in paragraph 3 – - must be submitted in person or via electronic means to the municipality of temporary residence and must be accompanied by a copy of a valid identity document, as well as a certificate or other documentation attesting to the voter’s status as an out-of-area voter”. The application must include the full address of the temporary residence and, where possible, an email address.

“The majority is keeping its promise,” said Angelo Rossi, the FdI rapporteur for the reform, celebrating the outcome. Fabio Roscani, president of Gioventù Nazionale, spoke of a “historic victory” and, in a joint statement with his colleagues Luca Toccalini (Lega), Simone Leoni (Forza Italia) and Maria Chiara Fazio (Noi Moderati), also called on the centre-left to support it. From the opposition, +Europa made its voice heard on the issue, with Riccardo Magi stating he was ready to support the bill “if they are serious”. However, he added, the negative view of the reform’s overall framework remains, a view also expressed by Avs. “If they don’t want to pass a piece of propaganda legislation, then they should engage with our proposals,” urged Filiberto Zaratti, who warned of the “dubious effectiveness” of the measures. “Good, but it could have been done sooner,” noted Giulia Pastorella of Az. “Good, it’s our battle; we’re waiting for the draft legislation,” emphasised Marianna Madia of Iv. No comments were made by the other opposition parties, who are also waiting to see the documents. Forza Italia was also celebrating. “It is a new chapter in a historic commitment to bring people closer to politics,” commented MPs Stefano Benigni and Paolo Emilio Russo.

Meanwhile, however, there appears to be no sign of a breakthrough on the issue of preferential votes within the centre-right. Following Matteo Salvini’s tentative opening, Riccardo Molinari, deputy leader of the Lega group in the Chamber of Deputies, has emphasised that ‘we do not believe it makes much sense to be stubborn about preferential votes’. Efforts at mediation are continuing, however, and Galeazzo Bignami, the FdI group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, says he is certain “a solution can be found”. There is time until the deadline for tabling amendments in the Chamber on Monday at 2.00 pm. Between now and then, discussions between the sherpas will continue, and it is likely they will meet again over the weekend. It is also possible that the leaders may speak again. At present, however, the positions are described as set in stone, with Fratelli determined to table the amendment and the Lega and FI still opposed. At this stage, it is also possible – as some FdI MPs have requested – that a vote by open ballot will be held, which would highlight the divisions within the other camp as well and confirm that FdI, despite the proposal almost certainly being rejected, has seen it through to the end. The opposition remains firmly entrenched and is preparing to do battle. Furthermore, partly due to the need for MPs to be present in the Chamber, the ‘broad coalition’ event scheduled for the 15th in Padua looks set to be postponed. Meanwhile, on the night of the 14th, +Europa is organising a ‘Vigil for Democracy’ outside the Chamber of Deputies to protest against the reform.