REFERENDUM – 17 APRIL 2016
On February 10th 2016 the Council of Ministers established that on the 17th of April 2016 there will be a referendum on the repealing of the rule that establishes that concessions for exploration and drilling of hydrocarbon deposits within twelve miles of the coast are valid for the “duration of the life of the deposit” (popular referendum for the repeal of paragraph 17, third sentence, art. 6 of the legislative decree of 3 April 2006, n. 152 [environmental regulations], as substituted by paragraph 239 of art. 1 of the law of 28 December 2015, n. 208 [provisions for the preparation of the annual and multi annual State budget – stability law 2016], with relation to the following words: “for the term of the useful life of the deposit, abiding by the standards of safety and environmental protection”).
VOTERS WHO RESIDE ABROAD AND ARE REGISTERED IN AIRE
a. Voters who reside abroad (i.e. outside of Italy) and are registered in AIRE (Register of Italians living abroad) will receive, as usual, an electoral kit at their address. Please remember that it is up to each person to keep the Consulate updated with his/her current address.
b. Those who are registered in AIRE but still wish to cast their vote in Italy (and not by correspondence) must submit to their relevant Consulate an “option form” with their name, surname, date and place of birth, place of residence, Italian Municipality of registration, an indication of the election/referendum for which the voter wants to opt to vote in Italy.
The declaration must be dated and signed by the voter and a photocopy of an identity document must be attached, it must then be sent by mail, fax, e-mail, or handed in at the Consulate by anyone by 26 February 2016 (with possibility of revocation within the same period).
Please click here to download an option form template to vote in Italy on 17 April (and not by correspondence).
VOTERS TEMPORARILY ABROAD (AT LEAST THREE MONTHS)
As from the Referenda of April 17th 2016 Italians voters and their cohabiting family members, who for reasons of work, study or medical care are temporarily abroad (outside of Italy) for a period of at least three months, during which period a Referendum or an Election takes place, may vote by correspondence (law 459 of 27 December 2001, as amended by the law of 6 may 2015, n. 52).
Those who wish to vote by correspondence should send an OPTION – VALID FOR ONE ELECTION – TO THE ITALIAN MUNICIPALITY where they are registered in the Voters’ Roll by 26 February 2016* (with possibility of revocation within the same period)*.
The option can be sent by mail, fax, e-mail or handed in at the relevant Municipality by anyone ( all certified e-mail addresses of the Italian Municipalities are available on www.indicepa.gov.it).
A copy of a valid ID must be attached to the Option Form, which must also state the foreign postal address to which the ballot papers should be sent, indicating the consular office (Consulate or Embassy) responsible for that jurisdiction, and an Affidavit stating that the voter meets the requirements for admission to voting by correspondence (the reasons being that the voter is temporarily staying in a foreign country for work, study or medical treatment for a period of at least three month during which the Referendum is taking place; or, to be a family member of such a voter [paragraph 1 of art. 4-bis of the aforementioned Law 459/2001]).
Please click here to download an Option Form template. The declaration does not need to be done on the form, as long as there is a copy of a valid identity document of the voter attached and it is made in accordance with Articles 46 and 47 of the Presidential Decree of 28 December 2000, n. 445 (consolidating the legislative and regulatory provisions on administrative documentation), declaring that the voter is aware of the legal consequences in case of false declarations (art. 76 of Presidential Decree 445/2000).
* THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 15 MARCH 2016
