Get Out The Vote: Voting & Volunteering

 

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!

http://www.votefromabroad.org

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 November!!!

Contact: callhub-helpdesk@democratsabroad.org

Get Certified: https://www.democratsabroad.org/voter_assistance_training

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 CallHub and Intercom and roll out a blue wave in 2024!!!

Get Certified:

Phonebanking Training

Intercom Training

Vote!

REGISTER TO VOTE & REQUEST YOUR 2024 BALLOTS - DO IT NOW!

UPDATED: Oct 6, 2024

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. New state guidance can be found at VoteFromAbroad.org/States.

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

https://democratsabroad.atlassian.net/wiki/x/dAGeygE

As of October 5, 2024, voters can only reliably return ballots by courier service. Ballots sent by any other method will not reach the U.S. in time to be counted on November 5, 2024.

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

Democrats Abroad has State Teams: DemocratsAbroad.org/State_Teams. Please visit the state team page for information on voting and to join. DACN has several specific voter assistance groups on WeChat in 2024. These include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. There are several chat groups for voters from every state as well. Connect with Liz Blackbourn on WeChat, user ID: Lizconsin.

 

Voter and Voter Protection Issues

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

OHIO Election Deadlines

OH Special Election

Email/Online/Fax

Mail

Registration

October 7, 2024

 

Ballot Request

October 29, 2024

 

Ballot Return Received

 

Postal Mail

  • Signed and sent by: 7:30 PM on November 5

  • Received by November 9

Courier: received by 7:30 PM on November 5

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 September 21. (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 September 27.

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 Volunteers in 2024

DA Vote From Abroad Training - July 11, 2020

 

DA Vote from Abroad Training - June 13, 2020







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. Here are two places to complete the FPCA:

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. In your state, a LEO may be referred to by a specific title, such as a municipal clerk.

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. Vote From Abroad provides a resource guide for study abroad students and 24/7 voter assistance. VoteFromAbroad.org is safe and secure, no data is stored nor shared with third parties.

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



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.

https://democratsabroad.atlassian.net/wiki/x/ngGdygE


How US Citizens Vote From Abroad.JPG

 

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DACN Guides and Graphics Archive

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.