(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
As polls begin to open in the European election, postal votes from European Australians will be arriving to be counted.
But despite a push to encourage more people to participate in the elections, some will miss out on their chance to be heard.
Brianna Roberts.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Many Europeans living in Australia are unable to vote unless they return to their home country.
Marco Lucchi from SBS Radio's Italian program is one of them.
He received a postcard with an offer for train discounts, should he choose to return to Italy to vote.
"We think it's a travesty. As Italians we have a duty and a right to vote.. and especially because these European elections in my opinion are very important, because they could be a watershed, there's lot of anti-European movements "
Italians are not the only group who cannot vote from outside the EU.
Those from Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Czech Republic and Slovakia also miss out.
US based French national Olivier Nataf is spearheading a campaign to allow equal access to vote in EU elections for Europeans abroad.
"Depending on which country you're from in Europe, you don't have the same voting rights when you don't live in your country of origin. For example an Irish citizen who lives in France, cannot vote for Irish representives at the European parliament. He could vote for the French, if he registers and says that he wants to vote for the French. But if he's more familiar with the Irish political system or political candidates, he cannot vote for them."
Mr Nataf says the current system is confusing, and could deter people who are eligible from voting.
"Registrations are not at the same date. Voting dates are different. Rules to register are different. So I mean I could go on and on, but procedures are definitely a hurdle."
Among those eligible to vote in Australia, some missed the deadline to register or submit their ballot.
The Swedish Embassy says it received calls from a number of peeople who wanted to vote, but had missed the deadline.
Swedish Ambassador Sven-Olof Petersson says while the goverment sends correspondence to people on the electoral role, many people do not update their addresses.
"We try to do what we can to help make people aware of this election taking place. We encourage people to vote, and we think it's important that they excercise these rights, especially if they intend to return to Europe again, because the European parliament is quite powerful today".
Voter turnouts have fallen consistently at every European election since 1979, plummeting from 62 per cent at the first election to 43 per cent at the last election.
Any further decline could undermine the legitimacy of the European Union.
However, Professor of Political Science at the University of Melbourne, Philomena Murray says a sudden surge in votes could also be bad news for the EU.
"The fact that there are more Eurosceptic parties, means that more people are dissastisfied with the European Union. They're dissatisfied with their own governments. So really we could expect the increased turnout, if it is increased, to include a lot of voters who are really not happy with the European Union."
Hard-right parties like the United Kingdom Independence Party or UKIP, and the Danish People's Party, are expected to see a swell of support.
Professor Murray says the rise of such parties comes at a critical time for the EU.
"What we see now is a nexus.. a coming together of that extreme right agenda or sets of agendas, because they do differ. And a lack of faith from many people and a lack of confidence in the European Union as providing solutions."
Olivier Nataf says that highlights just how important it is that everyone's voice is heard.
"What is different about this election is that, you know, what is at stake.. seems to be as important as it gets."
