U.S. CITIZEN INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE

August 2008

The following Notice Message is for maximum dissemination to U.S. Citizens.

SUBJECT:  NEW WEBSITE FOR OVERSEAS VOTERS

We encourage you to visit the newly redesigned Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov, the official U.S. government website for overseas voters.  The updated website features an automated Voter Registration and Ballot Delivery tool that will greatly improve the vote-by-mail process. 

There are two options for overseas voters using the FVAP website:

·         Visit www.fvap.gov and click “Get Started” to be directed to an online Federal Postcard Application and instructions for your state; or

·         Visit www.fvap.gov and click “Use our New Automated Tool to Register/Request a Ballot” under Quick Links in the lower right-hand corner of the home page.  You will be redirected to www.fvap.com, a fully automated site that requires you to create a user account and password. 

Voter Registration & Requesting an Absentee Ballot 

Voters who have not yet registered to vote and requested an absentee ballot should do so now using the FVAP website.  You may also pick up a hard copy of the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) from any U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

You should also complete a new Federal Postcard Application if you have moved or changed your name since the last time you voted. 

Voting 

Your local voting officials should mail your absentee ballot 30 to 45 days before the November 4 general election.  Return your voted ballot as early as possible.  Be aware of your state’s ballot receipt deadline, as well as any postmarking requirements. 

Emergency Ballots 

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serves as an emergency ballot for voters who registered in time but fail to receive an official ballot from local election officials.  You can access the FWAB using www.fvap.gov as well. 

Questions? 

The Voting Assistance Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid is also always available to answer questions about absentee voting.  To contact the Voting Assistance Officer, call 91-5872200 or send an e-mail to votemadrid@state.gov.

Following are the contact numbers of our Embassy in Spain, as well as the Consulate General in Barcelona and the different consular agencies. All these contact numbers and their addresses are available on the Internet at http://madrid.usembassy.gov. 

Consular Section Madrid. American Citizen Services: 91-587-2240

Embassy and emergencies after hours: 91-587-2200 

American Consulate General Barcelona: 93-280-2227.

Consular Agency La Coruña: 981-213-233

Consular Agency Las Palmas: 928-271-259

Consular Agency Málaga: 952-474-891

Consular Agency  Palma de Mallorca: 971-403-707

Consular Agency Seville: 954-218-751

Consular Agency Valencia: 963-516-973