1. Training for Voter Registration Volunteers 2016
Helping Americans Abroad Vote by Absentee Ballot

2. Introduction VOTE = VOICE
Democrats Abroad provides voting information to US citizens residing outside of the United States, helping them to register to vote and request absentee ballots.
It is among our core functions to urge everyone who can vote to vote.
VOTE = VOICE
The more ballots cast by overseas citizens each election year, the stronger our voice in US government.
Reach out to all Americans living abroad to urge them to vote
Help Americans living abroad to register to vote
Assist Americans living abroad submit the mandatory absentee ballot request form for the upcoming General Election
Ensure Americans living abroad know their state deadlines for voter registration, ballot requests, and ballot submission
Urge Americans living abroad to vote for the Democratic nominees
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

3. VoteFromAbroad.org (VFA)
A non-partisan voter registration service developed by Democrats Abroad. VFA maintains full impartiality, with the objective to register every US citizen living outside of the United States, regardless of the voter’s politics. All voter assistance must be completely non-partisan.
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

4. How to Vote from Abroad
Overview of Steps Involved When Voting by Absentee Ballot
Step 1–Submit FPCA
Fill out the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and request an absentee ballot
Step 2–Receive Ballot & Step 3–Vote Ballot
Complete and return the State Absentee Ballot as soon as it arrives
Step 4–Submit FWAB
Ballot not arrived by Oct. 15th? Complete and send the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot
Step 2 – Receive Ballot
Step 3 – Vote Ballot and return the Sate absentee ballot
Step 4 - Vote FWAB (if necessary)
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

5. How to Vote from Abroad
STEP 1: Register for an absentee ballot by filling out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and mailing it to the designated Local Election Office (LEO). You may send your FPCA by , fax, or postal mail – depending on state rules and your local circumstances. FPCA simultaneously fulfills the requirement for first-time voter registration and yearly absentee ballot request, as well as updating voter contact information.
REMEMBER: FPCA DOES BOTH REGISTRATION AND REQUEST, BUT THE TWO ITEMS HAVE DIFFERNET DEADLINES
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

6. How to Vote from Abroad
Democrats Abroad strongly urges voters to submit the FPCA every election year, even if some states sent ballots to their overseas voters automatically in the past or continue to do so. This is to comply with the MOVE Act* and avoid a challenge to the ballot if a current FPCA is not in the LEO’s records.
*see slide on the MOVE Act of 2009
REMEMBER: FPCA DOES BOTH REGISTRATION AND REQUEST, BUT THE TWO ITEMS HAVE DIFFERNET DEADLINES
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

7. How to Vote from Abroad
The LEO approves eligible requests. Absentee ballots will be delivered to voters 45 days prior to the election. STEP 2: Receive Ballot Receive your state ballot from your LEO – voter can chose to receive ballot by , fax, or postal mail depending on state rules STEP 3: Vote Ballot Complete the absentee ballot as soon as it arrives, sign and return it to the LEO to insure its receipt prior to the state’s submission deadline.
LEO approves eligible requests. Absentee ballots will be delivered to voters 45 days (counting weekends) prior to the election, as stipulated by the MOVE Act.
Receive your ballot Step 2 – voter can chose can receive by or mail depending on your state rules
Step 3 complete ballot
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

8. How to Vote from Abroad
STEP 4: Submit FWAB (if necessary) If the absentee ballot has not arrived 3 weeks before the election, download the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), complete and send it to the LEO to be sure the vote is received in time. If the state ballot arrives after you have sent your FWAB, you should still complete it and send in your state ballot. The LEO will use it instead of the FWAB.
Election day is Nov. 8th. DA recommends voting the FWAB the by October 15th.
Step 4
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

9. How to Vote from Abroad Create a “Voter Account” on VFA
Creating a VoteFromAbroad.org “Voter Account” is an option that stores the information entered in the FPCA, to be used to easily generate a FWAB, or the FPCA in the next election year.
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

10. How to Register Voters Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org
VFA completes the FPCA or FWAB for voters based on the information they provide
VFA produces a document in PDF format, which includes the form and helpful instructions
The voter must download and print the PDF, and sign and send the completed FPCA or FWAB form to the Local Election Official indicated on page 1 of the PDF
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

11. Benefits of VoteFromAbroad.org
Simplified registration form with clear instructions
Prepares a clearly legible printed form
A non-partisan service that also enables voters to join DA and sign up to receive further voting information
Optional Voter Account makes it easier to print a FWAB or the FPCA for the next election year
Rules differ across the states, and they can change frequently: VFA reflects the most up to date rules and regulations and will ask all questions required by the voter’s state
Provides State Voter Information Directory and Voter Help Desk with FAQ
Personal data is kept confidential and not shared with any outside organizations
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

12. Completing the FPCA Voter Type / Classification:
US Citizen Residing Outside the US… Indefinitely and My Return is Not Certain
Voter Type / Classification:
Eligible to vote absentee in elections for federal office. Some states may only send a federal ballot
Some states may still include state and local offices and ballot measures for this classification
Choice has no affect on state or federal taxes
Eligible to vote absentee in all elections
Temporarily and I Intend to Return
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

13. Completing the FPCA Voter Type / Classification:
US Citizen Residing Outside the US… Who Has Never Resided in The US
Eligible to vote absentee in elections for federal office in 36 states if a parent or legal guardian’s last US address or voting residence was in the state.
Make sure the voter is applying to one of these states* before selecting this option.
36 states
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

14. Completing the FPCA
* The following 14 States do not guarantee the vote to Americans who never resided in the US
Alabama Arkansas Florida Idaho Indiana Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Montana New Jersey Pennsylvania Texas Utah ✔
14 states ✘
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

15. Voting Laws and Rules vary by State
Voter registration, ballot request, and submission deadlines
Registration Deadlines for some states are as early as 8 October 2016
Eligibility to vote in state and local elections
Methods of sending and receiving voting materials
Allowing citizens who have never lived in the USA to vote
Acceptable types of identification
Consult the VFA State Voter Information Directory for state-specific rules:
When in doubt, refer to the state-specific Voting Assistance Guide directly on the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website at FVAP.gov
Go to and select a state for its rules
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

16. Working a Voter Registration Table
Ask voters if they have registered to vote this year, after January 1st, by submitting an FPCA voter registration and ballot request form.
Complete form at
Download and print the PDF file of the FPCA and instructions. The PDF can also be ed to the voter if a printer is not available or to have a copy for their records.
The voter must sign the form. An original signature is required.
Provide an envelope and address it to the indicated local election office, with the voter’s return address. (Depending on local circumstances, the voter may also choose to fax or voting materials. Some states may still require postal mailing of the printed form.)
It’s great to have appropriate airmail postage ready at the table to sell.
Remind the voter that the addressed, stamped, and sealed envelope needs to be put in the mail or delivered to a US Embassy or Consulate for mailing by Diplomatic Pouch (free of charge with a pre-printed envelope).
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

17. Tips for Volunteers
If you are unable to answer a question, don’t guess: take the voter’s contact information and
Review the FPCA and verify that the document has been signed and dated, a complete US address is included for the voting residence address (no P.O. Box addresses). Ensure all information is legible
Encourage voters to include address to facilitate timely delivery of ballot
Delete any downloaded FPCA files from your computer
A special touch: follow-up by or telephone to make sure forms are mailed on time
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

18. Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) 1986
Federal law requiring US States and territories to allow certain US citizens to apply to register and vote absentee in elections for federal offices.
Absentee ballots are permitted for general elections, special elections, primary elections, and runoff elections for federal office
UOCAVA citizens are service members, their eligible family members, or overseas citizens
Even though Federal law says that all US citizens have the right to vote in federal elections, voters must still be registered to vote in a state.
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

19. The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE) 2009
Legislation that expands and protects the voting rights of Americans abroad, by providing new tools and more time to participate in the process.
Makes it necessary for military and overseas civilian absentee voters to submit a ballot request every election year
Requires states to send absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters at least 45 days before federal elections
Requires states to make voter registration, absentee ballot applications, and blank ballots available electronically
Eliminates notary requirements
Expands use of the FWAB to all federal elections
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

20. Help America Vote Act (HAVA) 2002
HAVA requires tabulation and reporting obligations to bring greater transparency to the process of voting absentee and the problems that remain.
Mandates that overseas absentee ballots be tabulated separately from domestic absentee ballots
Established the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to determining how many overseas ballots have been sent, returned, and counted after a general election “ ”
Yes, all overseas votes are counted.
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016

21. Your Vote Counts!
Tell your fellow Americans to go to and Request a Ballot Today!
Voter questions, send them to:
State-specific rules and registration deadlines, visit:
Answers to frequently asked questions:
2016 Voter Registration Training slides: /2016+Voter+Assistance+Training
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Special thanks to Eileen Weinberg of DA Switzerland for her work in originally preparing these 2016 Voter Registration Training slides
Updated: 7 Sept v.04
Voter Registration Training 2016