2008 ABSENTEE VOTING information
General Information
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides American citizens with the opportunity to vote in U.S. elections while they are outside of the United States.
To vote in U.S. Elections, American Citizens must register (and request) an absentee ballot from the state in which they hold residence or last resided. If you have never resided in the United States, you may request to register and vote in the last state that your parents, or grandparents resided in before your birth. However, always check with your state’s local board of elections since the state determines your eligibility to vote.
The official U.S. Government website for overseas absentee voting assistance is the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at http://www.fvap.gov/. It has a wealth of information about absentee voting including the downloadable absentee ballot application, state-specific instructions for completing the form, links to state and local officials, and a downloadable emergency ballot. There is also has an international toll-free number to call from The Netherlands 0800-024-9769.
To register to vote and to request an absentee ballot, download the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Fill it out and send it in, following guidelines for your state. A postage paid envelope template, valid if you are using the U.S. postal system, is available at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/returnenvelope.html.
Each state has different voting procedures. Information about your state’s procedures is available at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html#ch3. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides American citizens with the opportunity to vote in U.S. elections while they are outside of the United States.
To vote in U.S. Elections, American Citizens must register (and request) an absentee ballot from the state in which they hold residence or last resided. If you have never resided in the United States, you may request to register and vote in the last state that your parents, or grandparents resided in before your birth. However, always check with your state’s local board of elections since the state determines your eligibility to vote.
The official U.S. Government website for overseas absentee voting assistance is the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at http://www.fvap.gov/. It has a wealth of information about absentee voting including the downloadable absentee ballot application, state-specific instructions for completing the form, links to state and local officials, and a downloadable emergency ballot. There is also has an international toll-free number to call from The Netherlands 0800-024-9769.
To register to vote and to request an absentee ballot, download the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Fill it out and send it in, following guidelines for your state. A postage paid envelope template, valid if you are using the U.S. postal system, is available at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/returnenvelope.html.
Each state has different voting procedures. Information about your state’s procedures is available at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html#ch3.
To check the status of your voter registration, contact your State or Local Election Office. The Federal Voting Assistance Program website has a listing of all the State Election Office’s websites. Simply visit www.fvap.gov and select the State Election Site.
Applications for ballot request and voter registration forms are also available at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, and may be requested by emailing us at VoteLisbon@State.gov. You can also submit your completed ballot request and voter registration to the U.S. Embassy (U.S. Embassy, American Citizen Services, Secção Consular, Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa Codex) for forwarding through the United States mail system. It must be addressed to the local voting jurisdiction office in the U.S. and not to the Consulate or the Embassy. See your state specific instructions for addresses of local voting jurisdiction offices at http://www.fvap.gov/.
To check the status of your voter registration, contact your State or Local Election Office. The Federal Voting Assistance Program website has a listing of all the State Election Office’s websites. Simply visit www.fvap.gov and select the State Election Site.
Applications for ballot request and voter registration forms are also available at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, and may be requested by emailing us at VoteLisbon@State.gov. You can also submit your completed ballot request and voter registration to the U.S. Embassy (U.S. Embassy, American Citizen Services, Secção Consular, Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa Codex) for forwarding through the United States mail system. It must be addressed to the local voting jurisdiction office in the U.S. and not to the Consulate or the Embassy. See your state specific instructions for addresses of local voting jurisdiction offices at http://www.fvap.gov/.
