DU-ers Overseas: Are You Having Trouble Getting A Ballot?

[K8-EEE]

My friend, an American living in England, is getting worried about not having recieved hers yet. Wondering if anybody has any advice/experience in this area? Or anywhere on the web they can point her for help?

[July]

1. When I voted in Spain, I had to go to the consulate.

When did they start using ballots?

[K8-EEE]

2. I Dunno, She Said Something About Them "Overnighting" It??

It sounds SCREWY!

Where in Spain did you live? My grandparents were from San Sebastian -- I went to school in Salamanca for a bit! Que viva espana!! God bless them, they HATE GWB WITH A PASSION!

[NinetySix]

3. I called my County Elections Commission Tuesday...

I was told that the absentee ballots hadn't arrived at the office yet, but that when they do, they'll be mailed out immediately. I'm waiting until the first of next week to call back, but if I get the same answer then, I'll begin calling daily. It takes nearly a week to get mail from there, and nearly a week to get it back. That gives me very little room for error in order to get my ballot into the office before the deadline. Don't worry, I'm on it -- TRUST ME.

[Polemonium]

9. Use the Federal Write in Ballot available from consulate

You can send in a Federal Write in Ballot, after the first week in October. If you receive your regular ballot you can send that one in after you've already sent in your write-in ballot. No need to wait till the last minute you can vote early with the Federal-Write In ballot. Chapters of Democrats Abroad should have these available as well.

[Jean Louise Finch]

4. don't worry yet

Hiya,

I'm in Bangkok, registered in New Hampshire, and haven't gotten mine yet. I know a New Yorker and a South Carolinan, and so far nobody has received theirs yet. I think it's still too early to get nervous.

I know in some states (New York) they just have to be postmarked by election day, they get counted a bit later. I've been abroad for the last four years and have never had a problem...though always get a little nervous as the time draws near.

So tell your friend not to worry yet...but to obsessively check her mail every day like me!

Jean Louise Finch

[JCMach1]

5. No, my county FEDexed it to me...!

:)

[wickerwoman]

6. I'm in China and I got my ballot a little less than a week ago.

She should try contacting the board of elections in the town or city where she's registered and see if they've mailed it out yet. She needs to mail it back at least two weeks before the elections so I'd say it's not panic time yet, but I'd start making inquiries.

[K8-EEE]

7. Thanks Everyone, I'll Forward This To Her

DUers are the best!

[Polemonium]

8. What to do.

First, it is important that your friend verify that she is registered with her local county office (today). This ensures that if for some reason her application was not received she can fax (most states allow this) another application today (most states deadline is today - although this varies alot by state and circumstances of the voter ie previously registered etc.).

As long as she is registered, and did it using the FPCA (Federal Post Card Application), she can send in a Federal-Write in Ballot if she does not get hers by around October 9th. Federal-Write in Ballots should be available at your local consulate, and most chapters of Democrats Abroad should have some available.

Some states don't even start to send out the ballots until 21 days before the election, and some ballots are on hold till legal questions are cleared up (such as should Nader be on the ballot).

FYI we got ours a week ago, but most in our organization are still waiting. Be vigilent, and use the Federal-Write in Ballot if needed.