Voting Right & NHW AGM

I have copied below a translation of the rules governing the right of ex pats residents in Spain. 

We have, through a agreement between the UK and Spain, a right to vote in the municipal elections to the local councils. As most of you long time residents will know this is a most important right. The council in Zurgena has for the past 16 years, that I have been involved, totally supported the ex pat community in every way and has listened to our voice. 

For you to have a say please note how it will work and what you need to do to be able to preserve your right to vote.

The council have asked me to return and do a couple of meetings early next year to explain how important it is to have the vote and what has occurred over the past 20 years and make people understand how things were, and are, regarding all issues including legal status of land and property, entitlement to benefits/support, influence in how the THs assign funds and projects. I will organise these for January/ February and possibly April, prior to the election in May.

 In the bilateral agreements with other-countries, so that their citizens can vote in municipal elections, one of the requirements is the legal and continuous time of residence in Spain. I am awaiting confirmation of the time frame but this is just so you know the state of play.

 This time is recorded by the Electoral Census Office through the Municipal Register and the Central Registry of Foreigners.  Depending on whether they meet the required time, at the end of November a model letter will be sent to each person.

 *1.  Sample letter in which, according to the database, YES the time of validity is fulfilled*: for this type of person, in addition to being informed by letter that they do comply, to show their willingness to be part of the census they will have to complete the letter and send it to the INE office (free of charge) or electronically using a code and web link for the digital application.  In this case * NO MORE DOCUMENTATION IS NECESSARY *

 *two.  Sample letter in which, according to the database, the time of validity is NOT met*: for this type of person, the Electoral Census Office will send another type of letter informing them that they meet all the requirements to be able to vote except the time of residences (according to their database).  For this reason, if you consider that it is an error and that you have fulfilled the time of legal residence, in addition to responding to the letter, you must provide *a photocopy of a valid foreigner identity card or a foreigner's residence certificate issued by the Police Station*.  Both documents are valid.  In this case, you cannot express your will online.

 For those who do not receive the letters or return them, they may also express their wish to be part of the census through the City Council with a form that will be sent to them.

 We remind you that the deadline to express the will in countries with bilateral agreements starts *December 1st until January 15th*.

 We have summarized the years necessary to be able to be part of the census as well as other requirements to be part of the census for both EU citizens and those with a bilateral agreement, in the document that I have sent.  We hope this information is useful.

NHW AGM A very successful meeting thanks to all who supported it by attending.