현행 공직선거법상 재외선거제도의 문제점 및 개선방안

As a result of the Constitutional Court's unconstitutional decision against the former Act on Elections for Public Offices, which restricts voting rights of Korean residents abroad, was introduced overseas election in 2009 and then overseas election was first implemented at the 19th general election on April 11, 2012 and at the 18th presidential election on December 19, 2012 in succession. While the number of eligible voters abroad exceeds 2 million, the voter turnout at the 19th general election was only 2.53% with 54,456 people and that of the 18th presidential election was 7.1% with 158,235 people. This article tries to find the systematic flaws(defects) that the current Act on Elections for Public Office has, which leaded to these low voter turnouts. It examines and analyzes problems on overseas elections found in the 19th general election and in the 18th presidential election. Moreover, it suggests reform recommendations to manage overseas election more reasonably and effectively. In particular, to raise the overseas voter turnout. it needs some devices, such as fax voting and post voting, to make registration procedure simple. Lastly, this article proposes political representation in national legislatures for overseas voters, which can directly reflect interests of Koreans residents abroad and boost participation of voting.