Shipboard Voting

• What is Shipboard Voting?

  • Shipboard voting is a system introduced so that sailors who cannot vote at advance voting stations or polling stations can participate in voting on the ship they are on board.

     

• Which Elections the Shipboard Voting System Applies to?
  • A seafarer who is qualified for the enrollment in the official list of eligible voters but is unable to vote at an early voting polling station or a regular polling station because he or she is scheduled to be or is on board any of the following ships
  • Captained by a Korean citizen, 1) a Korean national deep-sea fishing and outer port passenger/cargo transportation vessels; or 2) a seafarer planning to board or currently boarding a foreign flag ship

• How to Register for Shipboard Voting
  • Seafarers on board: Submit using the (electronic) facsimile installed on the ship or report through the Internet website opened and operated by the Gu/Si/Gun. 
  • Seafarers planning to board the ship: Fill out the reporting form for shipboard voting and submit it by mail or in person to the head of the Gu/Si/Gun where you are registered as a resident, or report it through the Internet website opened and operated by the Gu/Si/Gun.

• Significance of Shipboard Voting

  • Realizing the right to vote as stipulated in the Constitution

    Seafarers have faithfully fulfilled the four major duties of Korean citizens: national defense, labor, education, and tax payment, but when it comes to elections, they cannot exercise their right to vote, which is the core of their basic political rights, simply because they are on board the ship on election day.

  • Encouraging pride and patriotism as Korean citizens

    With the introduction of the onboard voting system, seafarers will be able to exercise their right to vote, which will reflect their opinions in state affairs and lead to many national policies for them, which will greatly contribute to the advancement of seafarers’ rights and interests. In addition, with the guarantee of secret voting through Shieldfax, they will be able to exercise their right to vote even in the middle of the ocean, so it is expected that they will be able to feel pride and patriotism as Korean citizens no matter where they are in the world.