VOTING BY MAIL FOR ITALIAN CITIZENS ABROAD AND OPTION TO VOTE IN ITALY
By Decree of the President of the Republic dated 13/01/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale) on 14/01/2026, the dates 22 and 23 MARCH 2026 have been set for the referendum pursuant to Article 138 of the Constitution on the amendment of certain articles of the Constitution (the so-called “Justice Reform”).
It is recalled that VOTING is a RIGHT protected by the Italian Constitution and that, pursuant to Law No. 459 of 27 December 2001, Italian citizens residing or temporarily staying abroad, who are registered on the electoral rolls, may VOTE BY MAIL, receiving the ballot package at their address of residence. To this end, voters are advised to check and, if necessary, promptly update their personal and address details with the competent Consular Office (it should be recalled that, by law, ballot packages must be sent almost one month before the voting date in Italy), preferably by using the online consular services portal Fast It.
As an alternative to voting by mail, voters registered with AIRE may choose to vote in Italy, at their municipality of electoral registration, by notifying the Consulate in writing of their choice (OPTION) within the 10th day following the calling of the referendum. The choice (option) to vote in Italy is valid only for the specific referendum for which it is expressed.
The option MUST REACH the Consular Office NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE VOTING IS CALLED, that is, BY 24/01/2026. This communication may be written on plain paper and — in order to be valid — must include the voter’s first and last name, date and place of birth, place of residence, and signature, and be accompanied by a copy of a valid Italian identity document of the declarant.
The form, duly completed, signed, and accompanied by an identity document, may be delivered/sent as follows:
– in person: Embassy of Italy in Panama, Calle 58 Este con Ave. Ricardo Arango, Obarrio, PH Plaza 58, 6th Floor, Office 601 (during public opening hours)
– by ordinary email: consolare.panama@esteri.it
– by certified email (PEC): amb.panama@cert.esteri.it
As provided for by current legislation, it is the responsibility of voters to ensure that the option notice sent by post has been received in due time by their Consular Office. Requests received after the above-mentioned deadline CANNOT be considered valid.
The choice to vote in Italy may subsequently be REVOKED by means of a written communication to be sent or delivered to the Consular Office using the same methods and within the same deadline предусмотр for exercising the option.
If voters choose to return to Italy to vote, the Law DOES NOT provide for any form of reimbursement of travel expenses incurred, but only for fare concessions within Italian territory.
THE CONSULAR OFFICE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS at the email address consolare.panama@esteri.it