WASHINGTON, D.C. – Preparations are being made for eligible Bahamian citizens to register and to vote overseas in the upcoming Constitutional referendum in an Advanced Poll on Tuesday, 31st May 2016.
Persons eligible to register overseas and to enroll as overseas voters in the upcoming referendum include:
- a student, or the spouse accompanying such student, pursuing a bona fide programme of study outside of The Bahamas;
- a member of staff of any embassy, high commission or other foreign mission of The Bahamas who is posted overseas, or the spouse or any immediate member of the family living within the household of that member of staff;
- a public officer or a member of staff of the Ministry of Tourism or any delegation of The Bahamas who is on official duty overseas or the spouse of such person or any immediate member of the family living within the household of that member of staff; or
- a member of staff of The Bahamas Maritime Authority or any other agency of the Government of The Bahamas or any international organization to which The Bahamas is accredited or the spouse of such person or any immediate member of the family living within the household of that member of staff.
Please see the Public Notice attached for additional information.
To enable all eligible persons to vote during the Advanced Poll on 31 May 2016, all registered voters must complete the prescribed Form “J” and submit the same, in person, to the nearest embassy/consulate in their respective jurisdictions by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on 19 May 2016.
Eligible persons who are not listed on the 2012 Register are encouraged to register and complete Form “J” at the nearest embassy/consulate in their respective jurisdictions by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on 19 May 2016.
Eligible persons should provide a valid passport and evidence of being currently enrolled in a bona fide programme of study outside of The Bahamas.
For voting locations, please see Annex 2 for a listing of embassies/consulates located in the United States of America and relevant contact information.
Voting will commence on 31 May 2016 precisely at 8:00 a.m. (EDT) and will close at 6:00 p.m. (EDT).
