Mail-in ballot bill aims to reduce high voter abstention rate in Greece

The mail-in ballot will be used for the first time in Greece at the Europarliamentary elections in June, exactly 50 years after the restoration of democracy, after its vote in parliament.

The related bill by the Interior Ministry has been posted for public consultation until January 10 and will be tabled in parliament shortly after.

It is hoped the mail-in ballot will reduce the voter abstention rate, as it provides an alternative to several categories of voters who find it difficult to appear at a voting center in person: older people, those with disabilities, seasonal workers, and college students, among others.

Besides Euroelections, the mail-in system will be applied at national referendums also, where double elections are held the same day: for example, both national and Europarliament elections, or national elections and national referendum.

Voters who want to mail in their ballot must register themselves on special lists provided online by the Interior Ministry once the bill passes parliament. The registration will be accessible through the unified public administration platform (gov.gr), Citizen Service Centers (KEP), or Greek diplomatic authorities abroad.

Voters will need to do so at least 40 days ahead of an election - e.g., for the June 9 Euroelections, the deadline to register is April 28. Voters or legal representatives will pick up the ballots and mail-in envelope in person at public or private locations guarded by police and under closed-circuit TV observation.

READ MORE: Fees at toll stations rise as of New Year’s Day.