On behalf of the EXCOM, I want to summarize and clarify a number of points related to voter registration and ballot requests. We encourage those who are interested in continuing this conversation do so on the Comments on Voter Registration page.
Helping our members and potential members complete the process of voting from abroad (registering/requesting a ballot and getting it in by the correct deadline) is one of our core functions and the most direct way that we build influence and political power as an organization.
We exclusively recommend that overseas voters request a ballot with the FPCA every year for two reasons:
it is the simplest and most accurate way to ensure a voter's ballot request will be honored no matter how your state or local election official administers elections, and,
it provides the voter, Democrats Abroad, and the Federal Government the best possible recourse for ensuring votes are counted when Local Election Officials make mistakes or abridge the rights of overseas voters.
The easiest and most accurate tool to complete the FPCA is VoteFromAbroad.org.
Federal elections are administered by thousands of counties and other jurisdictions based on 51 different sets of state laws as well as federal laws. With that amount of variety there are undoubtedly states and counties that, intentionally or not, abridge the voting rights of overseas voters.
The FPCA was created under UOCAVA (The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act), which also authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions to enforce its requirements. This is not just conjecture— the Civil Rights Division of the AG has brought numerous lawsuits against States for violating the voting rights of overseas citizens as shown on this page: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/litigation/caselist.php#uocava_cases .
The DPCA will provide Voter Registration training as the 2016 elections get closer where we will go into specifics about how to make the overseas voting process as straight forward and easy as possible for overseas voters. Please remember that your role is to facilitate that process and make sure that overseas voters know their votes will be counted. Think of yourself as an overseas voting coach more than an overseas voting expert (you can always send the person to our voter help desk for answers to specific questions).
Democrats Abroad regularly assess the options for overseas voters and if you would like to volunteer to help our Voter Registration team research, create training, and resources, and help country committees, please let us know.
Alex Montgomery
Regional Vice-Chair for Asia-Pacific & Acting Communications Director