VOTER TRAINING 2014 GLOBAL GOTV RESOURCED FROM FVAP.GOV AND PREVIOUS DA VR TRAINING

2 Welcome to the VFA training. This training provides information to help you successfully register to vote, request your absentee ballot and successfully cast your ballot. This training covers: 1. Background information on UOCAVA 2. An Overview of VFA and the Voter Registration Process The MOVE Act Requires all states to provide Voter Registration applications online. We use votefromabroad.org! MOVE eliminated ALL Notary Requirements. It expanded the use of the Federal Write In Ballot (FWAB) to all Federal Elections including Primary and special Elections. All states must provide an electronic means (via or website download) and a mail means of distributing ballots.

2014 GENERAL ELECTION During the 2014 election cycle, a number of important offices will be decided by voters, including: 33 seats in the U.S. Senate 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives Governorships in 36 States and 3 U.S. territories State and local offices Ballot questions and referenda *eligibility to vote for state offices (including Governor) and ballot questions and referenda are state specific and may result in tax liability/residency issues for an abroad voter. Voter Eligibility is determined by the LEO (local election office). We strongly encourage voters to thoroughly investigate the implications for participating in anything other than a Federal Election. There are no tax implications to residency or domicile status for voting a Federal Only Ballot. Even if you have voted a state ballot before, it is best to confirm the state revenue and voting regulations as they are subject to change. Other factors may determine tax liability, residency, or domicile status for a citizen living abroad.

ABSENTEE VOTING States differ as to when they count absentee ballots. Many States require absentee ballots to be received by Election Day so that they can be counted along with the in-person votes. Some States accept absentee ballots after Election Day. The election is not certified until all absentee ballots received by the State’s deadline are counted. MYTH: Absentee ballots are not counted unless it is a close race. FACT: All valid absentee ballots are counted regardless of the closeness of the race.

Election Marginof Victory 2008–MinnesotaU.S.Senate312votes 2006–OklahomaStateHouseofRepresentatives2votes 2005–VirginiaAttorneyGeneral323votes 2004–WashingtonGovernor133votes 2000–FloridaElectoralVotes(U.S.Presidentialelection)537votes EVERY VOTE COUNTS Voters are encouraged to exercise their right to vote. Every vote counts. Recent elections have been decided by a margin of victory of less than 0.1%.

WHAT IS UOCAVA ? The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, or UOCAVA, allows certain U.S. citizens to apply to register and vote absentee in elections for Federal office. Citizens covered under UOCAVA include: UOCAVA covers more than six million potential voters worldwide Members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine who are absent from their voting jurisdiction due to their service. Dependents of members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine who are absent from their voting jurisdiction with the member. U.S. citizens residing outside the United States and its territories.

THE VFA.org VOTING PROCESS

Vote from Abroad is our chosen non-partisan online resource to register voters ! Benefits of the using online:

UOCAVA FORMS VFA.org generates the two forms unique to UOCAVA voters: provides both copies of these forms filled in for voters who complete the online process. Voters just need to click to print these forms and send them per instructions to the address provided to their (US Voting State) Local Election Office to process! No Embassy Appointments, No Notaries! 8 The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Apply to register to vote. Request an absentee ballot. Update a mailing address and/or other contact information. UOCAVA citizens should submit an FPCA: Once a calendar year minimum. (Check with state laws as they do change year/year). Any time they need to update their contact information. The voter goes to to: When completed the form prepopulates and the voter signs and dates the form here!

BY FILLING OUT THE FPCA, UOCAVA VOTERS CAN: Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) THE FPCA: Is a TWO FOR ONE: It registers you to vote and it requests your ballot. Please note for first time voters and/or voters that have not lived in the US there may be additional requirements by state which must be provided with the application. EARLY IS BEST: For election years with Primaries, General and Special Elections it is best to register early in the year to make sure you receive all ballots during that calendar year. DO IT EVERY CALENDAR YEAR: Even if you have received ballots automatically in the past it is necessary to have a FPCA on file as a valid ballot request is needed in case your vote is audited!

How Do UOCAVA Citizens Vote? Note: If applicants have not received an absentee ballot 30 days before the election, they should complete and submit the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to ensure that their vote is received in time to be counted. Step 1: By using VFA.org, a UOCAVA citizen completes the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to apply to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. The completed FPCA must be signed and mailed per instruction to the applicant’s local election official. Step 2: The local election official reviews the submitted FPCA. After verifying eligibility, the local election official sends the applicant an absentee ballot according to their requested method. Step 3: The applicant receives the absentee ballot, votes the ballot and returns it to the local election official to be counted. FPCA BALLOT FWAB

Federal Write-InAbsentee Ballot (FWAB) The FWAB is a backup ballot for UOCAVA voters who have not yet received their State absentee ballot and may not have time to return the State ballot before the deadline. This printout is available at the completion of the VFA process! We recommend that voters who have not received their absentee ballot 30 days before an election complete and submit a FWAB. For the General Election this year that date is OCTOBER 5, 2014.

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) Should be completed by: All UOCAVA voters once a year and any time they need to update their contact information. Allows voters to: Apply to register to vote, request an absentee ballot and update their contact information. Should be completed by: All UOCAVA voters as an emergency write-in absentee ballot should they not receive their ballot 30 days before the election. Allows voters to: Vote in all Federal elections. Some States allow the FWAB to be used for State and local elections or as a simultaneous application for voter registration and write-in absentee ballot. Review of Voting Materials generated by VFA.org

It’s non partisan face is user friendly for all users – we register anyone who wants to be registered! The voter does have the option to share information with Democratic Candidates at the conclusion of their session – in that case we do have their information on file! We still have the opportunity to get them to join DA! When they join DA they will receive registration deadline reminders, voter action alerts, special election alerts, the Democrat Abroad (newsletter) and voter follow up and support through our dedicated phonebankers! FAQ: Why Use Votefromabroad.org vs other Voter Registration Sites?

You can complete the registration on any smartphone with browser, although the interface is not always easy. You will also need to make sure you have their correct to send them the completed forms to print themselves. Send them the link to or give them a bookmark or card! It helps to keep them handy and give them to all of your DA members. Invite them to help out with an upcoming GOTV session or registration event! FAQ: I just met another American in line at a coffee shop! I only have a few minutes, what do I do? Tips for Registering on the Go:

If they have their voter info ready, you can complete the registration form. Some states might need the last 4 of the social security number. Complete the process online for them Print the PDF file including the FWAB – or it to someone who can print it for them Get their contact information so that you can follow up with them and repeat if necessary! FAQ: We just met a person at our event, but they don’t have a computer….but they don’t have a computer or printer!

A local election official needs an applicant’s voting residence address in order to confirm the applicant’s voting precinct. The address must be for a residence (i.e., not a P.O. box). It is also not where a family member may be just ‘collecting mail’ for them back home. You must have resided at the location, yourself, prior to moving abroad. For Overseas Citizens: Your "legal State of residence" for voting purposes is the State or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. This applies to overseas citizens even though you may not have property or other ties in your last State of residence and your intent to return to that State may be uncertain. For U.S. citizens who have never resided in the U.S.: Your “legal State of residence” for voting purposes is the State or territory that your parent or legal guardian would be eligible to register and vote. Not all states allow this eligibility, however. Check with your Local Election Office. You may contact your local election official to identify your voting residence address. FAQ: Someone wants to know what their US voting address would be? Completing the FPCA: Voting Residence

You should remind applicants that by signing the FPCA, they are verifying their information under the penalty of perjury. Refer to the State by State section of the Wiki to see if an applicant’s State requires a witness signature. 24 FAQ: Do I really just Sign and Send? Completing the FPCA: Affirmation and Witness After applicants read the affirmation, they should sign and date their form. James Jones

25 FAQ: Where do I send my Ballot Request? Completing the FPCA: Submission Methods Completed FPCAs should be submitted to the applicant’s local election official for processing. All States and territories accept the FPCA via mail. Mailing addresses for local election officials are printed as part of the Vote From Abroad printout. They can also be found in the state by state area of the wiki. Never mail forms to your embassy/consulate. Consult them first before dropping forms off.

FAQ: Do I have to Mail or can I my ballot request? Completing the FPCA: Submission Methods Some States and territories will accept the FPCA via and/or fax. Check the GOTV wiki state by state page to see if the applicant’s State will accept the form by or fax. A few states do allow an transmission return but require a hard copy signature to be mailed back as well. Please check the details to make sure your submission is received!

28 After receiving an FPCA, a local election official will process the form and verify the applicant’s eligibility. You are encouraged to call, fax or your local election official to verify that your application has been received. The Wiki has a list of all local election offices and contact information. You should receive your regular State absentee ballot from the local election official in time for you to vote and return the ballot by the State’s deadline. Voters who have submitted an FPCA and have not received their absentee ballot 30 days before the election should submit the FWAB. FAQ: How Do I Follow Up? Completing the FPCA: After Submission

Voters in this situation should always complete their State absentee ballot and return it to their local election official. If the absentee ballot is received by the State’s deadline, it will be counted instead of the FWAB. Your vote will only be counted once. Some States allow absentee ballots from UOCAVA voters to be counted even if they are received after Election Day. FAQ: What If I receive my State Ballot after Voting with the FWAB (Write In Ballot)