If you're confused about the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot, you're not alone. Here are the guidelines. Please check carefully to see which pertain to you:
-Your ballot request MUST reach your state NO LATER than OCTOBER 2nd if you want to use the Federal Write-In Ballot. Democrats Abroad had suggested you post your application no later than September 15th to allow for the inevitable bumbling at the post office. However, the deadline for your state to receive your ballot application is OCTOBER 2nd. At this point, to ensure your right to vote, we urge you to send your ballot request by FedEx, DHL or other express service. Yes, it will be more expensive that ordinary post, but it's hard to put a price on our future!
-You may FAX your application to MOST states by OCTOBER 2nd, and it will be accepted as long as you SEND IN THE ORIGINAL BY MAIL, as well. The one you mail may be received after October 2nd. It will simply validate your fax. In other words, the Fax "reserves" a ballot for you. You will be able to vote, as long as the state receives the original in addition to--albeit after--it receives the fax. You can fax it to 703 693-5527. Include a fax cover sheet with your name, state and county of last residence, and your email address. Toll free fax numbers from many countries can be located at http://www.fvap.gov/services/faxing.html
-The Following States WILL NOT accept faxes at all: Alabama, Guam, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Wyoming. Again, if you are from these states, we urge you to use an express service to deliver your ballot.
-The following states will accept faxes in LIMITED circumstances: Utah will accept faxes ONLY in emergency situations. Rhode Island will NOT accept faxes from people who checked "other U.S. citizen residing outside the U.S." on their federal postcard application. Rhode Island WILL accept faxes from people who checked "a member of the Uniformed Services or merchant marine on active duty, or an eleigble spouse or dependent"; "a U.S. citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S."; or "a U.S. citizen overseas by virtue of employment or accompanying spouse or dependent."
-The Following States will accept faxes ONLY if you have registered in the state before. In other words, if you have lived in these states AND voted in these sates, you may apply for your ballot by fax. If you have lived in these states, but never registered to vote or voted in them, you may NOT: Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
-Wisconsin will only accept the fax if the original is post-marked the same day it is faxed.
- Some states will allow Overseas Voter to register after October 2, but you forfeit the right to use the Federal Write-In Ballot and may be disenfranchised if the state ballot does not arrive in the mail. Many states provide two deadlines -- one for people who have previously registered and/or voted in the state where they lived and one for people who have not. These deadlines and other voting information can be found at: http://www.democratsabroad.org/vote.php
- Rachelle Jailer Valladares & Margo Miller
― You've Got to Pick Up Every Stitch (tracerhand), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 21:19 (twenty-one years ago)
also, if you have any questions, email me at this address. i have a ton of ballot registration forms, and will be happy to send one to you. i also have the big federal voter application guidelines book, and can help answer more questions.
also, the number one question is 'which state do i register in?'
it's the last state you lived in. not necessarily voted in, not bought property in. where you last lived.
― colette (a2lette), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)