How to register for the U.S. presidential election - Berlin

Hey di ho!

If you're outside the US - don't forget to register to vote.

(Bulletin for U.S. residents who live outside the U.S.A.)

If you've never done this before, it's easy and I hope this info helps you..

How:
Download the form is on the web (Federal Post Card Application)
http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.pdf

Instructions to fill out the form are based on the state you last voted in:
http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html

Fill out the form and fax to

001 800 368 8683 or
001 703 693 5527

Entire process, from download to filling it out is about 10 minutes.
You should get your ballot in 30 days before the November election. (If not, read the instructions on FVAP website).

Hope this info helps someone!

Regards,
Chicago Rose
www.chicagorose.de

Hi! I don't mean to hijack the thread, there is another web page some may find easier.

The following web page will ask you questions and then generate a PDF for you which you just need to print, sign and mail.
http://www.votefromabroad.org/

In any event, all US citizens living abroad should vote. In the last years there have been a number of changes to the
tax laws to screw over expats. They can get away with this as long as we are not vocal and don't vote.
- J

Hi Jon,

Excellent tip regarding that website. The main issues with that website are:
no detailed instructions regarding filling out the form (each state has different requirements, as example: full social security number required, only last four digits or not required at all and...

the visitor fills out the form online, hence there is really no way of knowing what type of info is being stored from the website owner (email adresses, soc. sec #, personal information) also...

There is a link on the form which asks the user if they want to get email and updates from the website owner.

To be on the safe side, fast is not always the best..

print the document from the government website and fax or mail it in.

:-)

-----

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If you stop by, say hi!

Thanks for the polite reply. I wanted to add one more point I forgot about before.

As I understand it, there are some few states that make it more difficult to register (requiring notarized forms, etc. - Please correct me if I am wrong about this).

There will be some GoTV (Get out the vote) events in Berlin to help people register in person and provide notary service. I don't have any dates for this at the moment. I believe the Democrats will be doing this, the Republicans seem to be less active.

Once again, I just mention it for people that may prefer this.

However one wishes to register, don't put it off too long.

The website in question, Vote From Abroad, is sponsored by Democrats Abroad. They do not retain information and the privacy statement is there for all to see. In many countries such as Germany, the issue is backed up with legal ramifications. Even on the opt in question, the minimal information of name, address and email only are kept. No other information is kept and none of it is ever shared with third parties. Even more legalities assure that point.

The http://www.votefromabroad.org/ site is also set up to ask only the questions needed for your particular state. This is important because one "wrong" answer and your registration can be invalidated. Some states are quite particular on this point. To be fair, 10 minutes is pretty optimistic for the FVAP site. It would take some people that long just to find the information for their state and then longer to read and understand it. We work very closely with the FVAP people on voter registration issues and that cooperation is a very successful and productive one.

One issue to note now is that some states are suggesting that printed forms are not acceptable because they are the wrong kind of paper. Both the DA and the FVAP peeps are looking into and combating this new way to suppress votes from abroad.

Many groups around Germany will be holding in person registration events. This will consist of both online and FVAP cards where a voting assistance officer will be present to help. Due to the postal timing associated with living overseas, regular registration and absentee ballot requesting should be done by the end of September at the very latest. In fact, starting in October many of the groups that helped people to register will switch over to helping people with emergency ballots. More to come on this as we get closer to that time. Suffice it to say, ballots arriving after the election is just unacceptable and happens way too much for people living abroad.