It informs me that because I am longer a European citizen, I am not entitled to vote in either the Municipal (local) elections in March or the European elections.
First fall-out from the Brexit vote.
You must be a citizen of La France to vote in the national elections–but at least these other elections offered foreign residents an opportunity to show solidarity and involvement with their community.
It’s also fun to be part of a small town elections–the visit to the Mairie to cast our votes, joining the steady stream of familiar faces.
The relief when you show your registration card and it’s confirmed you are indeed on the register–yes, you belong here (and we have been here full-time for 20 years–30 in all).
A sense of pride when you are given an envelope and the ballot papers of all the lists–and pointed towards the voting booths.
Doing your best to remember for whom you’ve decided to vote!
Placing chosen ballot paper in the envelope, signing the register of voters, putting the envelope in the transparent ballot box–glowing with a sense of duty done.
No longer!
It is doubly sad for Meredith, who had been invited to join one of the lists and had already attended a couple of meetings.
It’s apparently hard to find people willing to stand in the countryside–here’s someone who is by nature public-spirited and willing to do the work–and is now excluded.
Seems crazy.
But we are trusting that by the next set of elections 2026 (My! Seems a lifetime!) we will add French citizenship to our tally—thus qualifying to vote in the national, local and European elections.
Allons enfants de la Patrie!
Allez les Bleus!
Robin Ellis 
Same for me….as a British citizen who has lived outside UK longer than 15 years I can no longer vote in UK and now like you are unable to vote in the local elections in France ( resident 20 years) what a misery. My husband who is French has his vote no matter where he lives on the earth….for life. I have been disenfranchised by Brexit and there’s nothing I can do what a misery.
Misery indeed!
I too felt deeply sad when I received a similar letter from our mayor a couple of days ago. It was particularly poignant when the letter said that INSEE would require my name be deleted from the list of voters. Followed by the sentence: “Sachez bien que nous en sommes désolés.” So am I.
I’m just embarking on the hoped-for eventual French citizenship…. I hope they don’t require one to sing the Marseillaise – recite it, OK; sing it…..oh-oh….
(By the way, you have very impressive letterhead in your commune.)
Ruth
That is touching, Ruth. No such sentiment from our mayor with whom we’ve had our ups and downs!
Brexit is indeed a terrible thing. Problems like the ones you and Meredith are experiencing will be felt by so many. Very sorry, Do you mean that in four years you and Meredith will have both British (American for Meredith?) and French citizenship or just French? One must expect changes, but some changes are very troubling.
Yes, citizenships seems to be your only option at this point. Sad it has to come to this! Best of luck to you both!
So sorry to hear the sad news. It seems the whole world has gone crazy.
We are praying all those with a like mind will vote with us in November. The Brits and the Americans are facing difficult futures I’m afraid.
Same here and I’m in Meredith’s position too, I have been on the council for the last six years and they would have loved for me to stand once more alongside them, something I would have done with pride. We have also been here for more than 15yrs, so now have no vote anywhere. So sad and such a waste.
One of my friends has to give up her council position after several years.She is really upset.As mentioned by other posters I am the same,have been here too long to vote in UK and cannot vote here.I haven’t received a letter though.ah well,we can’t change it at the moment so no point in worrying.
It’s a rotten situation, but at least you are not living in the UK where every day a new horror raises it’s head. It’s depressing to see that my pension will be taxed even more. Already I can’t get hold of some of my perscription pills, and the rise of the right is terrifying. So sorry for Meredith her country is going through hell at the moment as well.
I hope all goes well with your citizenship and you can get back on the rolls again. What a mess it all brings. I’m especially sorry for Meredith as well.
I just shake my head for you, Robin, as I listen to sound bytes of our own crazy leader (dictator!) encouraging his minions to change their party for a day to throw off the Democratic party’s vote. Are ALL our leaders in power just the ones who can lie and cheat to keep their seats?? It’s so disheartening.
Seems like a trend–nasty trend.
I left the US to live in the UK (English husband) 40 years ago and took the opportunity to apply for and receive UK citizenship at the earliest possible moment so that I could vote in the UK and to make a statement of my commitment to the country in which I have chosen to live. I retained my US citizenship for many years though I have now surrendered it voluntarily. Those complaining about any loss of “rights” following the UK’s escape from the EU can always apply for citizenship in the country in which they live whilst also retaining UK citizenship should they desire. The complaints are not justified. If you have lived for so long in France, why haven’t you made the commitment of applying for French citizenship? This has always been an option – and for Meredith as well as the US allows dual citizenship.
We have–last April. We are waiting to hear.
Thanks for sharing your and Meredith’s citizenship journey with those of us who receive your emails. It is fun to be a small part of it, when, like so many other Brits, we have been playing with the idea ourselves. Maybe trips to la belle France will remain reasonably easy, but it would be lovely to find some way to express our international spirit and love of Europe. Born after the war I recall my parents keenness to get to travel in Europe, sending me on exchanges to France & Germany. Perhaps it is time to develop more of those twinning arrangements with our village of Henfield that were popular at one time. With thanks and friendship Hugh
You are expressing it and it sounds good and right!