Around 60,000 Chileans will be able to vote from abroad in the national referendum
On this occasion –for the first time in a referendum– Chileans living abroad will be able to participate in this vote just as Chileans living in national territory. In order to vote in other countries, Chilean citizens must be registered in the electoral roll abroad.
On Sunday, October 25, the National Referendum 2020 will be held in which voters will approve or reject the drafting of a new Constitution, as well as the entity that will write it.
On this occasion –for the first time in a referendum– Chileans living abroad will be able to participate in this vote just as Chileans living in national territory. In order to vote in other countries, Chilean citizens must be registered in the electoral roll abroad.
In the 2017 presidential elections, 39,136 Chileans abroad were eligible to vote, while this year the figure increased by 52%, totaling 59,522.
The out-of-country vote is coordinated and implemented by the Foreign Affairs Ministry through the Consulates and their personnel stationed abroad. Each Electoral Commission is presided over by the respective Consul.
To this end, due to the global COVID-19 health crisis, the Electoral Service has provided a health protocol with a set of measures to be implemented at 113 voting locations, to prevent any possible contagion during election day:
∙ Acrylic Barriers to divide voting tables.
∙ Facial protectors and gloves for election officials and consular employees in charge of the process.
∙ Separating floor tape to mark social distancing.
∙ Signs and pictures with health recommendations.
∙ Curtainless voting booths.
∙ Constant disinfection of voting tables, booths and ballot boxes.
The following measures have also been taken:
- Use of face mask.
- Physical distancing with other people.
- Voting tables will be open from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Preferential voting hours for senior citizens from 2 pm to 5 pm.
- Chilean ID documents (passport or identity card) may have expired up to 12 months.
- Voters must bring their own blue ink pen to mark their ballot and sign the register.
The electoral process abroad will be the same as the one that will take place in Chile (in person and with ballot papers), only with different time zones and observing the laws of each country.
For more information: https://www.votoenelexterior.cl