Overseas voting for US citizens PLEASE PIN

[NLU 212]

If you can, use (purchase) your own postage stamp!

 

55 4 2020!

[ibarra 321]

Many States, like AZ, have the option to Upload your ballot.  Just scan the signed ballot and other required docs to your computer, then, upload per State website. Very easy!  No mailing involved, no fax, no email.  Then, you can go to the website and verify that your ballot was recorded. 

[oregontochapala 721]

4 hours ago, ibarra said:

Many States, like AZ, have the option to Upload your ballot.  Just scan the signed ballot and other required docs to your computer, then, upload per State website. Very easy!  No mailing involved, no fax, no email.  Then, you can go to the website and verify that your ballot was recorded. 

As it is in Oregon, also, and as it should be everywhere.

[Bisbee Gal 2,024]

48 minutes ago, oregontochapala said:

As it is in Oregon, also, and as it should be everywhere.

Agree!!!  

Federal law requires all states to email blank ballots to Overseas Voters (when requested by the voter), but is unfortunately silent on the options for voters to return to their completed ballot.  

Let's hope that gets changed.  In fact I will contact my FL representative now. 

[MtnMama 1,350]

If you are from one of the following 26 states/jurisdictions, you can return your voted ballot by EMAIL or ONLINE UPLOAD:

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

*Nebraska voters must get their Local Election Official's approval to return a voted ballot electronically.

*Wyoming is currently setting up its email return system, so please contact your Local Election Official for details.

If you are from one of the following 5 states, you can return your voted ballot by FAX:

AK, CA, FL, LA*, OK

*Louisiana voters must get their Local Election Official's approval to return a voted ballot electronically.

Please note, you can use the email-to-fax service that is offered free of charge to overseas U.S. citizens by the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

IMPORTANT: be sure to format your .pdf as "U.S. Letter" sized paper. Simply email your completed ballot with the required cover sheet to fax@fvap.gov and it will be faxed to your Local Election Officials.

If you prefer, HelloFax is a popular service you can use directly from your computer. It is free for a limited number of faxes.

20 states still require POSTAL BALLOT RETURN. If you live in one of these states then you MUST return your voted ballot by postal mail:

AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ*, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT*, WI

*NJ voters: New Jersey allows voted ballot return by email. The voter must then also return the original by mail.

Given that the postal systems around the world are severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, we URGE YOU TO VOTE AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE IT. Please plan to use a courier service or the Diplomatic Pouch.  See instructions on the Original Post.

 

Check your state's Secretary of State and your County's Election Official's Website for any specific instructions. Follow the instructions exactly or your ballot may be rejected.

[Bisbee Gal 2,024]

Ballot tracking is available in almost every state.  Try your local Elections Office first, if the do not allow you to track, then try at the state level. 

We FAXed our FL ballots yesterday.  Today my County's Ballot Tracking says they were received yesterday and are being processed.  Once they are accepted they will update our status. 

For more info on tracking    https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-track-the-status-of-your-mail-in-ballot-2020-9?r=MX&IR=T

Quote

According to an analysis by the National Vote at Home Institute, a nonpartisan group that advocates for states to make it easier for voters to cast ballots safely from home, 46 states and the District of Columbia now have online portals that allow voters to track the status of their ballots every step of the way. 

 

[MtnMama 1,350]

There is also a sealed ballot box outside the Guad Reporter office in Plaza Bougainvillea. This box will also be taken to the Consulate for inclusion in the Diplomatic Pouch on 29 Sept. The ballots are stamped as having come from Mexico and are taken to the Dulles Postal facility and are sent to the address on your envelope.

A word of warning: Mail sent from services such as iShop and HandyMail are trucked to Laredo and will have a TX postmark. Depending on your local election official, this could be a cause for rejection. Call YOUR local office to verify this won't be an issue.

[MtnMama 1,350]

IF you are returning your ballot by mail to one of these states: AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ*, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT*, WI and they require a privacy envelope, be sure to use one. It has come to my attention that a recent court ruling said that a ballot can be rejected if it is sent 'naked' in a single envelope. They mentioned Pennsylvania but I am sure there are other states as well.

[phil in mexico 53]

I assume putting my ballot in the box at the Guadalajara reporter office i need some postal stamps where can I buy ???

[NLU 212]

BE SURE to use Mexican return address on your mail-in ballot as required by poorly written instructions taped to top of ballot box!

[Bisbee Gal 2,024]

3 minutes ago, NLU said:

BE SURE to use Mexican return address on your mail-in ballot as required by poorly written instructions taped to top of ballot box!

Depends on your state.  CALL you local Elections Official BEFORE completing and sending your ballot.  In FL there is no such requirement to use my Mexican address as my return address.  On my FL voter registration/card the line for Mailing Address shows my TX forwarder's address.  Again, CALL or EMAIL your LOCAL elections official!!

[NLU 212]

Listen to Bisbee Gal. Her information and advice has been spot on.

BTW, I just put on both addresses, US & MX.

[Bisbee Gal 2,024]

3 hours ago, NLU said:

Listen to Bisbee Gal. Her information and advice has been spot on.

BTW, I just put on both addresses, US & MX.

Thx but I'm no expert.  

But you know who is?  Your Local Election Official.  Their phone number (and probably email) is on everyone's ballot instructions.  Check with them, sooner rather than later; expats aren't the only ones voting by mail this year, many for the first time.  These local offices are going to get slammed as the deadline nears.   

Local Election Officials are the FINAL say on whether they accept or reject your ballot.   If you have a question it has been my experience that these offices want to help you.  

[oregontochapala 721]

9 hours ago, phil in mexico said:

I assume putting my ballot in the box at the Guadalajara reporter office i need some postal stamps where can I buy ???

Please...If your state allows voting online, do it that way.  If you need help or if you insist on mailing it, either take your ballot to LCS before the 29th and the Consulate will take it to the US for you or take it to iShop, Handi Mail, or Sol y Luna. They have stamps. Time is running out for mail in ballots!

[MtnMama 1,350]

9 hours ago, phil in mexico said:

I assume putting my ballot in the box at the Guadalajara reporter office i need some postal stamps where can I buy ???

If you are using the Ballot Box for the Diplomatic Pouch at the Reporter office, you can buy stamps at Sol y Luna. Their office is around the corner on the street east side of Plaza Bougainvillea.

I repeat: A word of warning: Mail sent from services such as iShop and HandyMail are trucked to Laredo and will have a TX postmark. Depending on your local election official, this could be a cause for rejection. Call YOUR local office to verify this won't be an issue.

[virgo lady 581]

Vote!

Vote!!

Vote!!!

[desafinada 29]

We sent our TX ballot by FedEx on Tuesday, it was received by Webb County on Wednesday.  The cost was 757 pesos at the FedEx office across from Bugambilias Plaza.  It included our MX address as the sending address as required.

[MtnMama 1,350]

REMEMBER!!! Tomorrow, 29 September, is the last day the Diplomatic Pouch will be at Lakeside. You can drop your ballot off at LCS or the Guad Reporter office in Plaza Bougainvillea. If your state requires a privacy envelope for the ballot - use one. A recent lawsuit in PA requires that all 'naked' ballots must be destroyed. I don't know about any other states. You can also send the ballot by private courier (see desafinada's post above) Check with your local election official before you use a mail drop such as Handimail or iShop since your ballot will have a TX postmark.

20 states still require POSTAL BALLOT RETURN. If you live in one of these states then you MUST return your voted ballot by postal mail:

AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ*, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT*, WI

*NJ voters: New Jersey allows voted ballot return by email. The voter must then also return the original by mail.

[Ellie 114]

 

FURTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE

The Lake Chapala Get Out The Vote (GOTV) team will be offering in-person U.S. voter assistance every week on Tuesdays, starting October 6, from 10 am to 1 pm, at LCS on the Neill James Mural Art Patio.  Voters from all states are welcome.  If you vote in a state that requires you to mail your ballot back (check at VoteFromAbroad.org/states) and you haven't brought your ballot to us by September 29 to be transported to the U.S. Consulate, we suggest that you use courier mail after first checking with your Local Election Official.  Enter LCS through the Lakeside Entrance, Del Paseo #50.  The NJ Mural Art Patio is on the way to the Gazebo.  Masks must be worn at all times on the LCS Campus, and all other required health protocols must also be followed.  Questions?  Contact:  LakeChapalaVOTE@gmail.com.

[MtnMama 1,350]

Just received this update from the LCS Voter Assistance team. PLEASE VOTE!

Yesterday we announced the continuation of in-person Voter Assistance Sessions at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic.  Please note that these sessions will be held
ONLY ON TUESDAYS
THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER from 10-1 pm.

Entering the LCS Campus from the lakeside, south entrance on Del Paseo is the most convenient.  We are located on the Neill James Mural Art Patio next to the Gazebo.

If you are not already registered, check your state's deadline for registration.  Some deadlines are currently passing.  You can check your state here:
http://https//www.votefromabroad.org/states/

See you next Tuesday, if you need help.

[Intercasa 1,079]

My office will fax ballots for free while you wait and give you confirmation or give you free US stamps to be able to mail.

[Willie 208]

Wow Spencer!!!  How nice of you!!!!  Thanks...as always providing service to our community when you don't have to.

[MtnMama 1,350]

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE. Remember each state's rules are a bit different and some counties have their own rules as well. If you haven't already done so, request your ballot NOW. All states provide an online method of accessing your ballot.

If you are from one of the following 26 states/jurisdictions, you can return your voted ballot by EMAIL or ONLINE UPLOAD:

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

*Nebraska voters must get their Local Election Official's approval to return a voted ballot electronically.

*Wyoming is currently setting up its email return system, so please contact your Local Election Official for details.

If you are from one of the following 5 states, you can return your voted ballot by FAX:

AK, CA, FL, LA*, OK

*Louisiana voters must get their Local Election Official's approval to return a voted ballot electronically.

Please note, you can use the email-to-fax service that is offered free of charge to overseas U.S. citizens by the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

IMPORTANT: be sure to format your .pdf as "U.S. Letter" sized paper. Simply email your completed ballot with the required cover sheet to fax@fvap.gov and it will be faxed to your Local Election Officials.

If you prefer, HelloFax is a popular service you can use directly from your computer. It is free for a limited number of faxes. Spencer's office will also help you fax your ballot.

20 states still require POSTAL BALLOT RETURN. If you live in one of these states then you MUST return your voted ballot by postal mail:

AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ*, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT*, WI

*NJ voters: New Jersey allows voted ballot return by email. The voter must then also return the original by mail.

Given that the postal systems around the world are severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE IT. Please plan to use a courier service or the Diplomatic Pouch.  See instructions on the Original Post.

Check your state's Secretary of State and your County's Election Official's Website for any specific instructions. Follow the instructions exactly or your ballot may be rejected.

[virgo lady 581]

Bump the Vote!

[Bisbee Gal 2,024]

And for those of you who have already voted (thanks!) -- TRACK Your Vote!  There may be a tracking website shown on your ballot materials.  If not, you can start here, at the state level, then winnow your way down to find your status. 

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-track-your-absentee-ballot-by-state

FYI, we fax'd our FL ballots on Sept. 22nd and just yesterday they now show as "counted."  

Some states process and count as ballots are received; others have tabulation dates set by state law, a few states have to wait until election day to count.