Together with the Federal Electoral Institute of Mexico and the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Power of Mexico, International IDEA has produced Voting From Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook (Fact Sheet, Overview), which offers both a general and comparative overview of external voting worldwide.
The globalization of life, the spread of democracy throughout the world and an increase in migration for many different reasons have all contributed to increasing interest in voting rights for people who are temporarily or permanently absent from their own country. While the constitutions of many countries guarantee the right to vote for all citizens, in reality voters who are outside their home country when elections take place are often disenfranchised because of a lack of procedures enabling them to exercise that right.
This Handbook maps, explains and compares external voting provisions worldwide. It is a unique comparative product for anyone involved in improving present electoral structures, planning for external voting processes, or participating in debate. It is also a contribution to the discussion of the basic principle of representation in democracies, analysing how to operationalize and balance criteria such as inclusiveness and effectiveness.
At present, little information or data regarding external voting is available. International IDEA hopes the Handbook will be a valuable tool and source of information to those working on issues related to external voting – both policy makers and other stakeholders.
