New US Absentee Ballot Rules
New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 US elections and Americans living in Bermuda will no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request, the US Consul General announced today [Dec.13].
All US citizens outside the United States who want to vote by absentee ballot in the 2012 primary and general elections must complete a new Federal Post Card Application [FPCA] every year if they wish to vote from abroad.
States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election,” said a State Department memorandum issued by Bermuda’s US Consul General. “No matter what state you vote in, you can now ask your local election officials to provide your blank ballots to you electronically — by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state.
“You can now also confirm your registration and ballot delivery on-line. Be sure to include your email address on the form to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option.
“This is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your ballot on time, and we strongly recommend every overseas voter take advantage of it. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s [FVAP].”
Depending on your state’s voting requirements, you either send in the FPCA electronically or mail it to your local election officials.
To mail it, print out the completed FPCA and the envelope containing the address of your local election officials.
“Be sure to affix sufficient postage and allow sufficient time for international mail delivery,” said a spokesman for Bermuda’s US Consul General. “Although you may bring your completed FPCA and envelope to the US Consulate for mailing, please be aware that we cannot guarantee receipt to meet a state-specific registration deadline.”
US citizens resident in Bermuda who wish to vote in the January, February, and March 2012 presidential preference primaries [P] and primaries for state-level officials, such as congressmen, senators, governors, [S] need to submit their FPCAs soon.
The following early-election states allow you to submit an FPCA now for the 2012 primary. The dates shown below are the primary election dates by state:
- New Hampshire (P): January 10
- South Carolina (P): January 21
The following early-election states allow you to submit an FPCA now that will be valid through the 2012 November presidential election:
- Florida (P): January 31
- Missouri (Republican P): February 7
- Arizona (P): February 28
- Georgia (P): March 6
- Ohio (S): March 6
- Oklahoma (P): March 6
- Tennessee (P): March 6
- Virginia (P): March 6
- Alabama (P,S): March 13
- Mississippi (P,S): March 13
- Louisiana (P,S): March 24
For the following early-election states, the FPCA is valid only in the year it is submitted. To ensure your request is valid for all elections in 2012, submit an FPCA as soon as possible after December 31, 2011.
- Michigan (P): February 28
- Massachusetts (P): March 6
- Texas (P,S): March 6
- Vermont (P): March 6
- Illinois (P,S): March 20
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot [FWAB] is a backup ballot. If 30 days before the election you think you will not receive your state ballot in time to vote and return it — especially in January primary states — Americans in Bermuda can vote the FWAB at FVAP.gov.
The FWAB is also available at the US Consulate. You may submit the FWAB any time after submitting an FPCA.
If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the Consulate’s Voting Assistance Officer at VoteHamilton@state.gov.
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