Is it possible to participate in the elections if you are abroad?

Few people know, but you do not need to be in the country to participate in the elections. It turns out that citizens have the opportunity to vote even while on vacation abroad – but only on condition that they register in Russia. We talk about all the nuances of remote voting: who can participate and what documents are needed for this.

How to apply

This year, presidential elections in Russia will be held between March 15-17, 2024. However, those who will be in another country at the moment need to take care of everything in advance in order to choose a suitable place and apply for inclusion in the voter list at their location. You can do this using the link until March 11.

You will be asked to confirm your registration location, as well as check the accuracy of your current passport information and contact phone number. Then you need to choose the country you will vote in and the voting center that suits you. However, keep in mind that it is not available in every city.

A code confirming the application will then be sent to your phone; This means the application is currently in progress. However, if plans change, it can be withdrawn until March 11, 2024.

What documents are needed

A single application is not enough to vote abroad. You must have one of the documents proving your identity with you. In this case the list is not that long:

• international passport
• diplomatic passport
• Sailor’s passport
• Service passport

If you suddenly lose your passport or any other document from the list during travel, you can vote to return to Russia using a certificate.

In Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, you can vote using a Russian passport.

What happens if you go to a polling station abroad without applying?

According to the rules, a voter must be on the list in only one district. Therefore, those who have permanent registration in the Russian Federation but plan to vote abroad can reassign themselves to another polling station. However, according to Pavel Andreev, a member of Russia’s Central Election Commission who is also responsible for international cooperation, many people are ignoring this step.

In his statement to Izvestia newspaper, he said that even if a person comes to a foreign polling station with a passport without leaving the ballot box at the registration point, he will be voted for. But he will have to sign a declaration that he has not voted anywhere else and that he is aware of his responsibility for violating the law.