THE BASIC ABSENTEE VOTING PROCESS
Step 1: Citizen completes the Registration/Absente Ballot Request form (FPCA) and mails to their Local Election Official in time to meet the voting state's deadlines
Step 2: Local Election Official approves Registration request or requests further information
Step 3: Local Election Official mails citizen absentee ballot *
Step 4: Citizen votes and mails the absentee ballot to the Local Election Official in time to meet state's deadlines
* In order to receive an absentee ballot in a timely manner, it is imperative for citizens to keep their local election official informed of address changes Note: Also e-mail and fax and especially if permitted by their voting state the voter indicated on their FPCA form this as their preferred option of ballot delivery
The FPCA form is accepted by all states, and it can be completed and returned as early as January 1 of the election year. Including for them to be eligible to vote using a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) should they not receive the regular ballot from their voting state in time, i.e. in the first weeks in October, until this year the law has stated that overseas voters need only register every four years.
New in 2009 - Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act article
The law has recently changed to require overseas and military voters to re-register every election year (but every state also has the power to waive this requirement - or not to require registration at all, as in Illinous for one example).
One FPCA each election year still allows the voter to receive all ballots for federal offices for an entire calendar year. For registration, quite a number of states require they receive the FPCA
at least 30 days before election but each state’s
requirements and
primary deadlines vary; and, as mentioned above, are subject to change. Make sure you
register early and allow plenty of time to meet your voting state’s deadlines, answer any of their questions or provide additional information, and in order to avoid overseas mail delays or other problems.
In addition to the address of your local election official (where to send it), the card-stock FPCA form and its instructions can be obtained from your local Embassy or Consulate, military Voting Assistance Officers or civilian and volunteer Voting Assistance Officers (VOAs) with Republicans Abroad and other American overseas organizations. The form and its instructions can also be requested from the responsible government agency in Washington, D.C. - the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) -
fvap.gov - or, along with the state instructions, downloaded from the FVAP's website; OR, as recommended above, instead of the manual way,
simply go to ...
1. no or inadequate voting residence address (your last address in the U.S.);
2. inadequate mailing address (the overseas address where you should receive your ballot); and
3. illegible writing (remember you need to also use American English alphabet letters/numbers, and date fomat)
In most cases when a voter registers and requests a ballot early, voting from overseas is easy. Note: In some cases and states, the requirements may be different for overseas citizens and absentee military and Uniformed Services voters. In all cases, it is important to know under penalty of perjury a voter’s registration and absentee ballot request (FPCA) is completed with signature including an oath that the citizen is eligible to vote and in the requested jurisdiction.
Important: Voting in federal offices only will have NO effect on your liability to pay state income tax or any other tax. Most states do not prepare a separate federal ballot.
Also, in 2010 your voting state's ballot may have a
Photo ID proposition regarding the state legislature wanting to protect the integrity of our election process by enacting legislation that requires voters to provide valid photo identification in order to cast a ballot in any and all elections conducted in the State (Note: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the photo ID voting law in 2008 - relevant
article). If passed, this requirement would NOT apply to UOCAVA voters/including those voting absentee from overseas.
If needed, we also provided answers to the following 10 FAQs and some solutions to common voting from overseas problems which should help make sure your registration/absentee ballot request and voted ballot arel received in time to be counted. If I can answer any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. To help anyone you know without computer or Internet, or IT savvy, they may call me anytime at 0173/621-4200. And, please remember the best and easiest way to help ensure your vote counts is simple ... Register & Vote early!
Elaine Terlinden
RA Germany Voter Registration Chair
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IF needed, for answers to the following 10 FAQs,
click here.
Am I already (or still) registered? │ Why should I complete a new FPCA in 2008?
│ What Internet resources are there for checking my voter registration, absentee ballot request, and vote to make sure my vote counts? │ How and when will I receive an absentee ballot, and vote it? │ How and when do voters use a back-up Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot? │ Where can I get candidate information for my voting district? │ Including mailing requirements, how can I help insure my local election official receives my voting materials in time for their deadlines? │ How can I use the Internet and electronic transmission to meet these deadlines? │ How can I help to insure my application to register to vote, absentee ballot request, or voted ballot are not delayed? │ What do I do if I am registered in more than one voting jurisdiction?
ATTN Voting Assistance Officers
If you or your organization provides voter assistance,
click here (to be updated in time for 2010 elections) for important information including:
- helpful steps to help new Voting Assisance Officers (VAOs) get stated including training
- how to stay up to date Note: VAOs also knowing all states' regulations and any changes including extended deadlines, expanded uses of the FWAB, and adding electronic tranmission options will help enfranchize more voters
- Liability Concerns
- RA Germany policy
The following web pages on this site provide additional voting from overseas information and resources.
Why vote in the primary elections? (to be updated and online in time for 2010 elections)
Who can vote absentee from overseas?Internet Resources for voting and election info
Getting Out the Overseas Vote (first page)
