U.S. law authorizes qualified citizens residing abroad to register and vote by absentee ballot in their state of last domicile. The Department of State can assist you as a U.S. citizen to exercise your right to vote. Voting officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information on the voting process and can help you in complying with your home state’s laws.
U.S. citizens do not actually vote at Embassies and Consulates. The electoral process is administered by the states, and you vote by mailing an absentee ballot to your home state.
HOW TO OBTAIN VOTING INFORMATION
Start by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website at http://www.fvap.gov for information on the absentee registration and voting process. U.S. citizens can contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program-Department of Defense at:
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
Toll-free: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
International Toll-free number: www.fvap.gov/services/tollfree.html
E-mail: vote@fvap.ncr.gov
World Wide Web: http://www.fvap.gov
You can also obtain information on absentee voting and regulations for each state in the United States by contacting the American Citizen Services Unit:
Street address: Tapachula 96, Colonia Hipodromo
Tijuana, Baja California
Mailing address: American Consulate General
P. O. Box 439039
San Diego, CA 92143-9039
HOW TO REGISTER AND OBTAIN A BALLOT
State voting laws differ. Acceptance and denial of voting applications is up to state officials. Depending on your state, you may register permanently, register temporarily, or apply for an absentee ballot by waiving registration. Some states allow this through the internet. You may also do any of these with a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), available from a U.S. Consular official.
If you make a timely application for an absentee ballot for a general federal election but do not receive it in time, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), also available from a Consular official.
OTHER VOTING SERVICES
Consulate voting officers keep notices concerning upcoming elections, notarize ballot materials, and perform similar voting-related duties.
Note: Voting officers do not provide information on candidates and issues. It is the voter’s responsibility to keep informed.
TEN THINGS TO HELP ENSURE YOUR ABSENTEE VOTE IS COUNTED
1. Start by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website at http://www.fvap.gov for information on the absentee registration and voting process.
2. If necessary, contact your Consulate Voting Assistance Officer for help with absentee registration and voting.
3. Ensure that you have applied for your absentee ballot using the hard copy or on-line versions of the FPCA.
4. Make sure your local election official has your current mailing address.
5. Sign and date all election materials.
6. Fulfill your state’s witness/notary requirements (if required). Consular officials can perform this notarial free of charge.
7. Ensure that your ballot or FPCA is postmarked.
8. Register to vote and request your ballot in a timely manner - not later than September.
9. VOTE - mail your ballot not later than October 15th of the election year.
10. Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot if you are overseas and your state absentee ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by the state’s deadline.
RESPONSIBILITY HAS NO BORDERS - VOTE!
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