Voting method for those living abroad (overseas voting)

Even if you are abroad, you can vote in Japanese national elections.
This system provides Japanese people aged 18 and over who live abroad with the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in national elections.
To vote abroad, apply for registration in the overseas electoral list and receive a "overseas electoral card".
※It takes about two months to be issued an overseas electoral card. Even if you apply just before the election, you will not be in time, so please apply in time.

（１） When applying in Japan at the time of departure "Application at the time of departure"
●Registration qualifications
Japanese citizens aged 18 or older who are registered in the electoral list in the final Address area.
※Those who have been suspended from civil rights are not eligible.
●How to submit an application
After submitting a transfer notification outside the country, please apply at the window of the Ward Election Commission. In addition, you can apply through an application signed by the person through a proxy.
<Required for application by the applicant>
・Overseas Electoral List Registration Transfer Application
・Identity verification documents (passport, my number card, driver's license, etc.)
<Required for the application of an agent delegated by the applicant>
・Overseas Electoral List Registration Transfer Application
・Applicant's identity verification documents
・Applicant's Application Form
・Identification documents for those who come to the counter
※The period during which you can apply is from the date you submit the transfer notice to the scheduled transfer date described in the transfer notice.
　Please refer to ward board of elections for details about procedure.
●About Resident Registration
We will check your overseas Address with your resident registration and register it in the overseas electoral list. Please submit it promptly after you reside abroad.

（２） When applying abroad <Application for diplomatic missions abroad >>
●Registration qualifications
A Japanese citizen who is 18 years of age or older and has a Address within the jurisdiction of a consular officer (ambassador or Consul General) responsible for Address for at least three months.
※You can apply for registration even if it is less than 3 months.
※Those who have lost Japanese nationality due to naturalization in their country of residence or those who have been suspended from civil rights are not eligible.
●How to submit an application
Please apply at the consulate counter of the diplomatic mission abroad (embassy or consulate general) where the application is made. You can apply at the same time when you submit your residence registration. You can also apply through an application form signed by the person through the living together family, etc. listed in the registration of residence.
※Application forms can be found at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General. It is also available on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Reception hours is Reception hours, the consulate counter of the diplomatic mission abroad.
●Registered municipalities in overseas electoral list
As a general rule, it will be the municipal election committee of the final Address district in Japan. However, those who fall under any of the following will be the municipal election committee of the permanent address at the time of application. .
・Those who were born abroad and have never lived in Japan (those who have never created resident certificate)
・Those who left Japan by April 30, 1994 (However, if the resident certificate has been deleted after May 1, 1994 due to delays in submitting a transfer notification, it will be the Election Commission of the municipality in the final Address.)
●Submission of passports and certificates
・Passport
※If you are unable to submit your passport due to circumstances, you will need a proof of identity in place of your passport. This document may vary depending on the country and region, so if you do not have a passport, please contact the diplomatic mission abroad in charge.
・Documents certifying that Address resides in the jurisdiction of the consular officer submitting the application to the date of registration (e.g., lease agreement Housing, Certificate of Residence, Resident Registration, Electricity and Gas Receipts stated in Address, etc.)
※If you stay abroad for more than 3 months, you must submit a resident registration under Article 16 of the Passport Act. This is not required if you have submitted this resident registration to the diplomatic mission abroad in charge at least three months in advance. If you have not submitted a resident registration, please submit it as soon as possible.

（1） Voting for diplomatic missions abroad
At the diplomatic mission abroad (embassy or consulate) where the voting entry place is set up, you can vote by presenting your overseas elector's card and passport. For overseas diplomatic establishments that have a place for voting, please contact the diplomatic mission abroad in charge.
The voting period and time are, in principle, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, from the day after the announcement (notification) of the election to the day determined for each voting entry place. (The period and time for voting vary depending on the location of the voting, so please contact each diplomatic mission abroad.)

（2） Postal voting
You can request a ballot and vote by sending an invoice and an overseas electoral card to the domestic municipal election committee registered in the overseas electoral list by international mail, etc. .
Requests for ballots must be made up to 4 days before the election date. In addition, it must not be necessary if the invoice has been reached to the municipal election committee by this day.
A list of candidate names, names of affiliated political parties, and a list of registered political parties will be placed at diplomatic missions abroad and will also be posted on the websites of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Kanagawa Election Commission.
※Ballot papers will be sent to the Address listed on your overseas electoral card, so be sure to submit a notice of change if Address changes.
※If the overseas elector fills out the application form for registration of the overseas electoral list, you will be able to receive a ballot at the "emergency contact number of residence" other than Address.
※Please send the completed ballot to the Election Commission so that you can reach the polling place at the polling place closed time on the voting day in Japan (usually until 8:00 pm).
※Postal voting is expected to take a considerable number of days depending on the region. You can request a ballot at any time, so we recommend that you request it as soon as possible, taking into account the number of mailing days.

（3） Voting in Japan
If you return temporarily at the time of the election, or after returning to Japan, until you are registered in the domestic electoral list, present your overseas electoral card and from the day after the announcement (notification) to the day before the election date In principle, you can vote in the same procedure as domestic early voting and absentee voting. You can also vote on the day at designated polling places in Japan. Please contact the local municipal election committee in advance for procedures for returning to Japan.

In addition, please refer to Yokohama-shi, ward Election Administration Committee for the details.