U.S. CITIZEN OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING
The United States Government has set up an information telephone line for American citizens living abroad to
obtain voting information. If you are residing overseas you may obtain voting
information for each state by dialing Toll Free 900.961.668. Forms and information are also available on the
Internet at http://www.fvap.gov.
U.S. law authorizes qualified citizens residing abroad to register and vote in their state of last
residence by absentee ballot. The Department of State can assist you in
exercising your right to vote. Since the electoral process is administered by
the individual states, you can only vote by mailing an absentee ballot to your
home state, or state of last residence.
Obtaining Voting Information at the Consulate
For official information on voting overseas, you should refer to the
Department of Defense Voting Assistance Guide, available at the Consulate. It
has instructions on filling out the federal forms, gives suggestions on how to
determine the state in which you should vote, and summarizes state regulations
on how to register and how to request ballots. The Consulate posts notices of
upcoming elections, notarizes ballot materials and performs similar
voting-related duties.
Obtaining Voting Information Via Internet
Many of the materials needed can be downloaded directly from
the Internet home page and the
Federal Voting Assistance Program web site.
The link can be found under "Services and Information for American
Citizens Abroad" section, under the heading of "Links to Other
Sources of Information". Furthermore, e-mail access to the Federal Voting
Assistance Program is provided directly through the site at
vote@fvap.ncr.gov.
A broad range of information is accessible, from the "Election
Calendars" to the "Voting Assistance Guide"; the pamphlets
"Voting Information Newsletter", "Communicating with your
elected Officials" and "Frequently asked questions" and
information pertaining to the Federal Post ard Application (SF-76) and the
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (SF-186).
Registering to Vote
State voting laws differ. Acceptance or 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.
You may do any of these with a Federal Post Card Application (PFCA), available
from the Consulate General.
Voting
The FPCA and your completed ballot can be mailed postage-free at the
Consulate using APO/FPO (military) mail facilities. However, international
mail may be faster and can be used at your expense. If you make a timely
application (approximately 60 days before the election) 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) available from the consular section. It
is only good for federal elections. The FWAB can be mailed by the same
methods as the FPCA, but must show an overseas return address.
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