Voters Without Borders: THE REVIVAL
June 11th 2022 marked the end of a year-and-a-half journey of campaigning for, promoting, and supporting European political rights. The Voters Without Borders (VWB) team as well as 8,762 citizens from all EU countries addressed a demand to the EU Institutions through an European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) — the participatory democracy tool of the EU — to reach a real European democracy by reinforcing European citizenship. The demand was for full electoral rights for mobile EU citizens as a way to respect and promote universal suffrage.
The ECIT Foundation is now actively looking for a new team of interns/volunteers to revive the ‘Voters Without Borders’ campaign in the run-up to the next European Parliament elections.
We are delighted to share with all of you a video we made to promote our ECI !
In this short video our international VWB team explain in their native languages the need to contribute to our initiative and sign the ECI
If you are curious about our members and their background do not hesitate to check ‘Our Team’ – Our promotional video is also available on our social media, if you want to share and support us head over to our accounts (Instagram @voterswithoutborderseci/Twitter @VoterWOBorders)
Upcoming events
Currently, electoral rights are only partials in the EU. In 13 out of the 27 EU Member states, non-EU nationals are not allowed to vote in municipal elections. Non-nationals are not able to vote in national elections, whether they are mobile EU citizens or third-country nationals. We believe that partial electoral rights are an obstacle to participation and democracy, which is why we want to demonstrate that mobile EU citizens and non-EU nationals should be entitled to vote in the Member state in which they reside!
The Voters Without Borders team held a symbolic vote in Paris to raise awareness about the electoral rights of mobile EU citizens and non-EU nationals and to increase visibility for the entire campaign.
We are delighted with the success of our polling station in Place de la République on Friday 22nd of April 2022! A report including the results, pictures and an analysis is now available here.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT? FILL OUT OUR QUESTIONNAIRE TO TELL US MORE!
Considering that no one should be denied their right to vote, Voters Without Borders decided to file a complaint to the European Commission against those five Member States (Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and Malta) which deprive their nationals of the right to vote in national elections on account of residence abroad (known as disenfranchisement). A key and crucial part of our complaint is your testimony, as it will give weight to the complaint and prompt the Commission to take action.
We asked that the European Commission act on the following proposals:
REMOVE BARRIERS
Remove barriers to registration of EU citizens to vote and stand in European and local elections either in their country of residence or origin.
REAFFIRM UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE
Reaffirm Universal Suffrage as a fundamental right and value. EU citizens should have the right to choose whether to vote in their country of residence or origin for all elections and referenda.
RESEARCH THE IMPACT
Research the impact of such genuine Europeanization of voting rights, the necessary safeguards, and how they could include third-country nationals.
CITIZENS' TESTIMONIES
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SIGN OUR EUROPEAN CITIZENS' INITIATIVE
AND TELL US YOUR STORY!
We are collecting stories from those who have had difficulties and troubles voting in their country of residence or back home during national, European and local elections, as well as referenda!
