In many countries voting was only possible by post – the decision was made by the countries’ authorities, and the organizers of Polish elections had to respect it. This was the case in the US, where 33,827 people registered to vote in the first round of the 2020 vote, an increase by 52% in comparison to the first round of 2015 presidential elections, where 22,141 people registered.

In Great Britain, 129,331 Polish voters registered, a 75% rise relative to the first round in the 2015 presidential vote, where the number was 73,870.

In the first round of 2020 elections, all Poles living in the UK voted by post, and the electoral commission received 87% of ballot papers before the legal deadline. By contrast, in the first round of 2015 presidential elections, this number was 79%.

The situation was similar in Ireland – 21,715 persons registered (71% increase compared to 2015 elections). On the polling day yesterday, 92% of ballot packs were returned to the electoral commission (84% in 2015).

Norway also marked a significant increase in registered voters (2020: 13,867 persons, 2015: 9,444 voters; increase by 46%). The percentage of ballot packs posted back to the Oslo electoral commissions was higher this year than in the first round of 2015 elections (2020: 76%, 2015: 74%).

In the Netherlands, the number of voters who registered for the 2020 elections rose by 129% (2015: 7,279, 2020: 16,714). In 2015, 83% of ballot packs were posted back, whereas this year, the number reached 90%.

In France, 44% more persons registered for voting (2015: 8,082, 2020: 11,661). 79% of ballot packs were sent back for counting (in 2015, the number was 73%).

Preparing presidential elections abroad in such a short time was an unprecedented operation in the history of Polish consular service. All members of Polish diplomatic missions throughout the world – approximately 534 consular officers and other staff working in diplomatic missions and in the MFA headquarters, took part in the preparation and send-out of ballot packs. 387,000 people registered to vote abroad, including more than 343,000 who applied for a postal vote. To compare – during the first round of 2015 elections, 196,121 voters registered, of whom 34,021 chose postal vote.

If you did not register in a consulate before the first round, but want to vote by post in the second round abroad, you should register with the competent consul by 29 June 2020, midnight local time. If you did not register in the consulate but want to vote in person where possible under Regulation of the Minister of the Interior of 8 June 2020 on the establishment of electoral districts, you should register not later than on 9 July 2020 at midnight.

MFA Press Office

photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA