Instructions to voting for Public Referendum 2026

If you live abroad or happen to be abroad around the time of the referendum, you can cast your vote early at an Icelandic embassy, consulate, or with another authorised election official. This guide walks you through the process step by step.

Who Can Vote This Way

Icelandic citizens who are abroad — whether living overseas or simply travelling — can vote early through Iceland's diplomatic and consular representatives, or through other officials appointed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for this purpose.

Not sure if you're on the voter register? 

- Check your polling place at: Hvar á ég að kjósa
- Or email Registers Iceland directly: kosningar@skra.is

Even if you can't confirm you're registered, don't worry — you can still cast your vote. The election official will note it and your vote will be recorded for follow-up.

What to bring

Bring valid photo identification — a passport, ID card, or driver's licence are all accepted. If you don't have one of these, the election official may accept another way of confirming who you are.

The Voting Process, Step by Step 

Getting Your Vote Back to Iceland

You are responsible for making sure your vote reaches your home municipality's election office before polls close on election day.

Options for sending it:

• Post it yourself through any postal service, as early as possible — international mail can take several days to arrive.
• Ask the election official to post it for you. Most are able to do this on request, but this does not guarantee on-time arrival, so the earlier the better.
• If you'd rather your name and ID number not be visible from the outside, you may place your sealed cover envelope inside a second, plain envelope addressed to your municipality's election office.

You do not have to send your ballot to your exact home municipality's office only — for referendums (as with parliamentary and presidential elections), it's enough to submit it to any election office within your constituency. 

Getting Help to Vote

You have the right to ask for assistance while voting, and you don't need to give a reason. Help can come from:

A) The election official, who can assist any number of voters without extra paperwork, or

B) Your own chosen assistant, who must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Sign a declaration promising confidentiality and confirming they meet the requirements
• Not assist more than three voters in the same election
• Not be a candidate in the election, or the spouse, child, sibling, or parent of a candidate

Whoever assists you, they may only do so if you are able to clearly tell them how you want to vote. The official will ensure no one else can see or learn how you voted.

A Few Important Reminders

•  Mark your ballot with an X only — no other marks or writing
•  Both signatures (yours and the official's) must be on the attached document
•  Use your last Icelandic address on the back of the cover envelope
•  Clearly write "Ísland (Iceland)" as the destination
•  Send your vote as early as possible — it must arrive before polls close on election day
•  You may ask for a new ballot if you make a mistake — never alter it yourself

More information

• Election law, regulations, and further guidance: Landskjörstjórn (National Electoral Commission) website
• General information about the election process: Ísland.is
• Information specific to the 29 August 2026 referendum: kosning.is
• Questions about the voter register: kosningar@skra.is