Voting in America

Have you registered to vote?

Voting Information:

HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE US ELECTIONS? IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT

Don't miss the chance to make your voice heard in this critically important election.

If you haven't yet registered to vote or requested your absentee ballot, it is probably not too late. Go to votefromabroad.org where you can register and request your ballot and find out your state registration deadlines and other requirements.  Your state may allow you to email your ballot request. 
 
If you have received your ballot, fill it in and return it today. Some states will allow you to email your voted ballot.  Follow your state's instructions.
 
Recent changes in some state voting laws may require you to provide proof of citizenship or photo ID. The most commonly adopted solution for overseas voters is to place a copy of the voter’s passport (the picture page) in the mailing envelope, separate from the security envelope containing your ballot. Overseas voters are exempt from ALL voter ID requirements save the passport copy.

If you have requested your ballot and not yet received it, contact your local election official – you can find the email and phone number on votefromabroad.org.
 
Alternatively, if you don't receive your requested ballot in time to send it in by November  (check your state’s mailing/receipt requirements), there is a fallback method for obtaining your ballot – the "Federal write-in absentee ballot" (FWAB). This document enables voting and, in some states, voter registration as well. Visit www.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/FwabStart.htm to start this process.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program estimates that of the 2.6 million U.S. citizens living overseas who are eligible to vote, only 4% actually voted – although a survey found that 57% of those who requested a ballot voted.  Register and vote now and get that 4% figure increased in 2016!

U.S. citizens living overseas have the right to vote in all U.S. federal elections, but you must re-register for every election. Some, but not all, Voting Registration Officers will contact you if you were registered for the last election – but don’t count on it. With the November presidential election fast approaching, make sure you’re registered to vote. There are several good sites to choose from, where you can fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote. The government’s Federal Voting Assistance Program’s site, www.fvap.gov, has an excellent FAQ section: https://www.fvap.gov/vao/vag/appendix/faq.

Alternatively, you can request an absentee ballot from the Overseas Vote Foundation (www.overseasvotefoundation.org) and at the same time create a persistent personal profile that will facilitate voting in future years.

The Overseas Vote Foundation’s online voter registration tool allows you to complete the FPCA in just 10 minutes. You can type directly on the FPCA, but you must then print the completed form, sign and mail it to the County Clerk. The OVF tool is non-partisan and your data will not be saved. As you fill it in, make sure you look at the overseas voting rules for your state, which are available on the site.  If you have requested an absentee ballot but don’t receive it time to send it in by November 8, 2016, there is a fallback method for obtaining your ballot: the “Federal write-in absentee ballot” (FWAB). This document enables voting and, in some states, voter registration as well. Visit www.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/FwabStart.htm to start this process.

Democrats Abroad Scotland are looking for volunteers: If you would like to help them get out the vote of the many thousands of U.S. citizens resident in Scotland in the run-up to the November election, to provide the information needed to register for and submit absentee ballots, or to help their teams plan and organize events, please contact either Penny Ciancanelli (pciascuno@gmail.com) or Beth Monahan (bethlmonahan@gmail.com).