Get Out The Vote (GOTV) is the main function of Democrats Abroad.

Our main goal is to inform & enable all Americans to exercise their right to VOTE!

Register!

(blue star) http://www.votefromabroad.org (blue star)

Remind!

Making phone calls is our tried-and-true, most effective Get Out The Vote method! Want to make a difference? Train and join DA call-a-thons to overseas voters. We need you BEFORE 2024!!!

Contact: callhub-helpdesk@democratsabroad.org

Get Certified: www.democratsabroad.org/phonebanking_training
After training and a short quiz, volunteers will receive a link to sign up for Callhub and campaigns!

Assist!

Members need assistance returning their ballots. Each state has different rules, and having someone answering questions is reassuring to voters. It also ensures ballots are submitted correctly. Please join as we use Intercom and roll out a blue wave in 2023!!!

Get Certified: https://democratsabroad.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/Intercom
After training and a short quiz, volunteers will receive a link to sign up for Intercom and assist voters directly!

Vote!

REGISTER TO VOTE & REQUEST YOUR 2023 MIDTERMS BALLOT - DO IT NOW!

UPDATED:

STATE DEADLINES HAVE COME!

Still need to register or request your overseas absentee ballot? Go to VoteFromAbroad.org – just answer the questions to fill out your registration form/ballot request (FPCA). Follow directions for returning it to your local election officials right away.

Ask to receive your ballot by EMAIL/ONLINE — this is the best way to make sure you receive your ballot in time!

Once you have your ballot, follow instructions on how to vote it and return it immediately!

BALLOT RETURN INFORMATION

IF YOU STILL DON'T HAVE YOUR BALLOT:

  1. If you asked to have your ballot sent to you via email, make sure you check your email SPAM folder!

  2. Fill out and return an FWAB (backup ballot). Find it here: http://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice

  3. Contact your local election officials! Find links to contact them, check your voter registration status, and track your ballot here: VoteFromAbroad.org/states.

BALLOT RETURN BY POSTAL MAIL REQUIRED

The following states require ballots to be returned by postal mail. States with * may allow alternate return methods by email/online, or fax — click on your state or contact your Local Election Official for details.

AL*, AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, IA*, KY, LA*, MD, MI, MN, MO*, NE*, NH, NJ*, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX*, VA, VT, WI, WY

RECOMMENDED: All UOCAVA voters returning a ballot by postal mail should also vote and return a FWAB (Federal Write In Absentee Ballot). This is a backup ballot used only by UOCAVA voters (those who have sent in an FPCA). You can vote and return both the FWAB and also your state-issued ballot — if both arrive in time, only one will be counted. To vote the FWAB, go to FVAP.gov/FWAB. For more information about the FWAB, including resources for what is on your ballot, check out www.VoteFromAbroad.org/FWAB

EMAIL or ONLINE BALLOT RETURN ALLOWED

The following states allow ballots to be returned by EMAIL or an ONLINE method, in addition to postal mail return. States with * have special requirements — click on your state or contact your Local Election Official for details.

AL*, AZ, CO, DC, DE, HI, IN, KS, MA, ME, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE*, NJ*, NM, NV, OR, RI, SC, UT, WA, WV

RECOMMENDED: All UOCAVA voters from the above states are recommended to return a ballot by EMAIL or ONLINE as allowed by their local election officials. If you decide to return a ballot by postal mail then you should also vote and return a FWAB (Federal Write In Absentee Ballot). This is a backup ballot used only by UOCAVA voters (those who have sent in an FPCA). You can vote and return both the FWAB and then also your state-issued ballot — if both arrive in time, only one will be counted. To vote the FWAB, go to FVAP.gov/FWAB. For more information about the FWAB, including resources for what is on your ballot, check out www.VoteFromAbroad.org/FWAB

FAX BALLOT RETURN ALLOWED

These states allow ballots to be returned by fax. States with * have special requirements — click on your state or contact your Local Election Official for details.

AK, CA, FL, LA*, OK

RECOMMENDED: All UOCAVA voters from the above states are recommended to return a ballot by FAX (or via an email-to-fax service - see below) as allowed by their local election officials. If you decide to return a ballot by postal mail then you should also vote and return a FWAB (Federal Write In Absentee Ballot). This is a backup ballot used only by UOCAVA voters (those who have sent in an FPCA). You can vote and return both the FWAB and then also your state-issued ballot — if both arrive in time, only one will be counted. To vote the FWAB, go to FVAP.gov/FWAB. For more information about the FWAB, including resources for what is on your ballot, check out www.VoteFromAbroad.org/FWAB

EMAIL TO FAX SERVICES

For Alaska (AK), California (CA), Florida (FL), Louisiana (LA), Oklahoma (OK) voters without access to a fax machine, please consider an email-to-fax service.

FVAP.gov offers a free email-to-fax service for US voters abroad to return election materials to their election officials.

Additionally, there are a number of free or inexpensive email to fax services available such as HelloFax (eFax, FaxZero, Faxplus, etc).

NEED HELP?!

CONTACT US!

HAPPY VOTING!

Timeline of the Absentee Voting Process

STEP

WHAT

WHEN

1

Register and request an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

January of each year

2

Receive your absentee ballot from your state election office

45-30 days before the election

3A

Return your state absentee ballot to your state

As soon as you receive it

3B

If you do not receive your state absentee ballot, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

As soon as you receive it

NOTE: If you are at sea or at other overseas locations without access to the military postal system you should send your voted ballots to your election office - 35 days before the election

NOTE: If you are at an overseas military installation with access to the military postal system you should send your voted ballots to your election office - 30 days before the election

The following states have teams set up within DA, as well as special ballot return instructions:

Voter Protection Issues

Running into difficulty? If you have any questions about voting, contact info@democratsabroad.org!

2023 ELECTIONS BY STATE

Election Deadlines

2023 Election Calendars

OHIO Election Deadlines

OH Special Election

Email/Online/Fax

Mail

Registration

July 10, 2023

Ballot Request

August 1, 2023

Ballot Return Received

By Courier: August 8, 2023

By Postal Mail: August 12, 2023

How to vote in Ohio from abroad:

  • Request your absentee ballot at www.votefromabroad.org

  • Check the box on the request form to receive your ballot by email

  • Look for your ballot as of June 23. (Check your spam folder!)

  • If you do not receive your ballot, please contact your LEO, or help@votefromabroad.org.

  • Voters must mail ballots to Ohio using the post office or a courier service.

  • If you use the diplomatic pouch at your local US Embassy or Consulate, drop your ballot off no later than June 30.

Find out more here: https://www.votefromabroad.org and here: DemocratsAbroad.org/OH-USA

(State) Special Election Deadlines

Special Election

Online

Mail

Registration

Ballot Request

Ballot Return

Postmarked by:

Received by:

Find more information and register to vote here: https://www.votefromabroad.org

GET OUT THE VOTE GUIDES

ONBOARDING

Volunteer Resources

2023 GOTV Handbook 👈👈👈

NEW! FAQs: 2022 Voting From Abroad -VFA

GOTV - Voter Turn-Out Resources

Level 1: Module 1 - Registering and Requesting Ballots

Level 1: Voting Basics

Voter Assistance Training: Level 1

Voter Assistance Training: Level 2

2021 GOTV Handbook

https://democratsabroad.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/StudyAbroad

Voter Help Events: Checklist for "Day-Of" Event

2022 DA CallHub PhoneBanking - Excerpt List

/wiki/spaces/CallHub/pages/6968311809

2020 VFA - One Pagers (No GPP)

China-Specific Volunteer Resources

DA Vote From Abroad Training - July 11, 2020

DA Vote from Abroad Training - June 13, 2020



Donate http://www.democratsabroad.org/donate_cn

VotefromAbroad.org Resources

TERMS TO KNOW

FPCA

FPCA stands for Federal Post Card Application. Use the FPCA to register to vote and request an absentee ballot simultaneously. Filing an FPCA will update your contact information.

FWAB

FWAB stands for Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. This is an emergency backup ballot for voters who did not receive an absentee ballot from their state in time to participate in the election.

LEO

LEO stands for Local Election Official. These are County-level officials who accept FPCA applications and send Ballots to voters.

VAG

Voter Assistance Guide (VAG) contains Federal and State rules for Overseas Voters.

VFA

VoteFromAbroad.org is also known as VFA. It is DA’s preferred website for voter registration, as it is clear, concise, offers all content in Spanish, Voter Registration and FPCAs can be submitted online, and there is a chat box for assistance.

FVAP

FVAP refers to the Federal Voter Assistance Program. This is a U.S. government program designed to assist overseas voters. Visit FVAP.gov.

FVAP Return Guidance

https://www.fvap.gov/

E-Mail or FAX

If your state allows you to email or fax your FPCA, Ballot, or FWAB, be sure to use the official FVAP coversheet.

No fax machine? No problem! Use FVAP’s free email-to-fax service!

  1. Print and complete a Fax, Email-to-Fax Coversheet.pdf

  2. Add your completed FPCA/FWAB/Ballot

  3. E-mail all attachments to fax@fvap.gov

  4. Contact your LEO to confirm receipt

MAIL

You can mail your FPCA, ballot or FWAB postage-free using these return envelopes. Be sure to use the security envelope to seal in your completed ballot or FWAB inside of the mailing envelope.

Using these templates, print directly on a blank envelope or print and affix to an envelope. Find your election office's mailing address.

Standard U.S. Envelope Size (#10)

  • FPCA Postage-Paid Return Envelope

  • Ballot Return and FWAB Postage-Paid Return Envelope

  • Ballot Return and FWAB Security Envelope

Standard Europe Envelope Size (C4)

  • FPCA Postage-Paid Return Envelope

  • Ballot Return and FWAB Postage-Paid Return Envelope

FVAP has translated the FPCA and FWAB forms as well as some key fact sheets to help you be able to vote from China.

US Embassy and Consulate Contacts

U.S. embassies and consulates can provide American citizens with voting forms and information about absentee voting, and can mail voter registration and absentee ballot request forms, and voted ballots back to the United States. Embassies and consulates can also advise voters on local mailing options and estimated mail transit times. In addition, the embassy or consulate can notarize or witness voting materials (if required by the state) free of charge. American citizens cannot vote in person at U.S. embassies or consulates, nor can embassies or consulates receive mail or blank ballots on behalf of voters.

2022 Election Dates

DACN Guides and Graphics 2022

DACN created fliers for 2021

Volunteers create GOTV graphics and content to promote voting on DACN’s social media accounts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WeChat! Want to do more? Share our messaging to expand our reach and join the Communications Committee to create inspiring content.

Success Stories: Why We Register & Vote!

CALIFORNIA - Recall Election 2021

BLUE WAVE VICTORY!

On September 14, 2021, Democrats out registered Republicans by a margin of nearly 2 to 1!

Governor Newsom will remain in office.