Amsterdam updates EU vote info, tells Brits they can vote whatever happens

Amsterdam city council has updated its online information about voting in the European elections to make sure British nationals are aware they have the right to vote, whatever happens about Brexit.

A city council spokeswoman told DutchNews.nl that while a letter sent to European nationals in Amsterdam was technically correct, it ‘may cause some confusion’. The later, dated March 7, stated British potential voters would be removed from the voting register after Brexit.

The city has now changed the website and send out messages on social media to make sure British nationals continue to register. Call centre staff had also been made aware of the rights of British nationals, she said.

‘We hope people will register and we hope that everyone has the opportunity to vote,’ the spokeswoman said.

The Hague has also sent a new letter to all British nationals in the city, explaining that they can vote in EU elections and enclosing a new form to sign up for the voting register.

The letter, dated April 4, reminds potential voters ‘the municipality must have received your request by 9 April 2019 at the latest.’

DutchNews.nl revealed on Thursday that British nationals will be able to vote in the May 23 European elections, even if Britain had withdrawn from the EU before that date.

That now seems unlikely. Prime minister Theresa May has asked for an extension to June 30, which, if approved by the other 27 member states, means Britain will also have to organise European elections.

All European nationals have until April 9 to register their intention to vote in the Netherlands. Registration has been a requirement since 1999.