As an alternative to voting by mail, registered AIRE electors may choose to vote in Italy at their municipality of registration by submitting their choice (OPTION) in writing to the Consulate within ten days after the announcement of the referendum. The choice (option) to vote in Italy applies only to the specific referendum for which it is expressed.
The OPTION must be received by the Consular Office no later than ten days after the announcement of the consultation, i.e., by 24 January 2026.
For this purpose, a dedicated form is available. The completed and signed form, accompanied by an identity document, may be submitted or sent to the Consular Office:
- in person
- by post (Consulate of Italy in Cape Town, 2 Grey’s Pass, 8001, Gardens, Cape Town)
- by ordinary email to capetown@esteri.it
- by certified electronic mail to con.capetown@cert.esteri.it
The communication of the option may also be submitted on plain paper; in any case, to be valid, it must include the elector’s first name, surname, date and place of birth, place of residence and signature, and must be sent together with a copy of an identity document.
Current legislation requires electors to ensure that their postal communication of the option has been received in due time by the relevant Consular Office. Requests received after the above deadline will NOT be considered valid.
The choice to vote in Italy may subsequently be REVOKED by a written communication submitted to the Consular Office using the same methods and within the same deadline provided for exercising the option.
The law DOES NOT provide for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred to return to Italy for voting purposes, but tariff concessions are available within the Italian territory.