Help me vote absentee (California)
September 1, 2020 9:23 AM Subscribe
I am not sure if I need to re-register to vote (my current status is inactive) in California in order to vote absentee, or if I can just go ahead and request an absentee ballot. (I have been overseas for 10+ years).
I'm in California & just got a card from the state confirming my vote-by-mail registration, and with a request to update my signature on file.
Whether you need to re-register or not, DEFINITELY update your signature!
Mis-matched signatures are the most common reason to invalidate mail-in ballots, in any state. Considering how casually we may now scrawl our 'sig' onto those ApplePay-iPad-Square whatever checkout pads, your voter sig must closely match the sample on file.
For those absentee-voting in other states that may not send an update form, at least look at the sig on your Drivers License or passport and match that when you sign your ballot.
posted by TDIpod at 11:50 AM on September 1, 2020
Whether you need to re-register or not, DEFINITELY update your signature!
Mis-matched signatures are the most common reason to invalidate mail-in ballots, in any state. Considering how casually we may now scrawl our 'sig' onto those ApplePay-iPad-Square whatever checkout pads, your voter sig must closely match the sample on file.
For those absentee-voting in other states that may not send an update form, at least look at the sig on your Drivers License or passport and match that when you sign your ballot.
posted by TDIpod at 11:50 AM on September 1, 2020
Best answer: If you are a US citizen who (still) resides overseas, you should follow the UOCAVA instructions for your state at FVAP.gov.
posted by deeaytch at 12:14 PM on September 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by deeaytch at 12:14 PM on September 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Are you still living abroad? If so, here's everything you need to know:
You do need to request your ballot and you need to do this every year. It's a simple form called the FPCA or Federal Post Card Application. Go to VoteFromAbroad.org. It's very, very easy and everything is very clear on the website. Be sure to choose the option for receiving your official ballot by email, it is the fastest way. Once you fill this form out online, you must send it to your Local Election Official (LEO). Fortunately for you as a California voter, you can email it in, hurrah! Other states you may need to mail or fax it.
Then check with your Local Election Official that they got your form. Official ballots are sent out by Sept 19th. Mail it back as soon as possible as US mail is extremely slow this year owing to [waves hands at all this].
You should also mail in an emergency back-up ballot — the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or 'FWAB' — ASAP to make sure your vote gets counted. Go to: www.votefromabroad.org/fwab . Mailing in the FWAB now will protect your vote in case postal mail fails to deliver your official ballot in time. There are no downsides to using a back-up ballot. If both your FWAB and official ballot reaches your state by the deadline, only the official ballot will be counted and the FWAB will be discarded.
These instructions and website apply to all US voters, in any voting state or territory, not just California. Here's Vote From Abroad's page for specific state instructions and deadlines: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states
posted by iamkimiam at 12:28 PM on September 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
You do need to request your ballot and you need to do this every year. It's a simple form called the FPCA or Federal Post Card Application. Go to VoteFromAbroad.org. It's very, very easy and everything is very clear on the website. Be sure to choose the option for receiving your official ballot by email, it is the fastest way. Once you fill this form out online, you must send it to your Local Election Official (LEO). Fortunately for you as a California voter, you can email it in, hurrah! Other states you may need to mail or fax it.
Then check with your Local Election Official that they got your form. Official ballots are sent out by Sept 19th. Mail it back as soon as possible as US mail is extremely slow this year owing to [waves hands at all this].
You should also mail in an emergency back-up ballot — the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or 'FWAB' — ASAP to make sure your vote gets counted. Go to: www.votefromabroad.org/fwab . Mailing in the FWAB now will protect your vote in case postal mail fails to deliver your official ballot in time. There are no downsides to using a back-up ballot. If both your FWAB and official ballot reaches your state by the deadline, only the official ballot will be counted and the FWAB will be discarded.
These instructions and website apply to all US voters, in any voting state or territory, not just California. Here's Vote From Abroad's page for specific state instructions and deadlines: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states
posted by iamkimiam at 12:28 PM on September 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Yes, still overseas, and now I see that at FVAP I am applying both for an absentee ballot and for re-registration if necessary, so that's the answer I needed. Thanks deeaytch!
posted by melamakarona at 12:28 PM on September 1, 2020
posted by melamakarona at 12:28 PM on September 1, 2020
Here is a little bit more on the FWAB with a special update for this election. Plus, a FWAB how to here.
posted by iamkimiam at 12:34 PM on September 1, 2020
posted by iamkimiam at 12:34 PM on September 1, 2020
Response by poster: OK, one more question (and thank iamkimiam, looks like we posted simultaneously). It looks like I need to "re-register". Can I choose a different county and address (where my parents live) rather than where I used to live (at uni?) and was last properly registered? Or is it better at this stage (and given current circumstances) to stick with the old address?
The question asked for the FVAP is: 2. What is your address in the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot?
posted by melamakarona at 12:34 PM on September 1, 2020
The question asked for the FVAP is: 2. What is your address in the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot?
posted by melamakarona at 12:34 PM on September 1, 2020
According to this, you need to use the last place you lived in the US, regardless of everything else. I wouldn't switch counties if I were you.
posted by iamkimiam at 12:40 PM on September 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by iamkimiam at 12:40 PM on September 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: yeah, trouble is, the address on file for me (for my last registration) is not the last address where i lived, and does not match my drivers license. so i am a bit concerned either way.
posted by melamakarona at 1:04 PM on September 1, 2020
posted by melamakarona at 1:04 PM on September 1, 2020
Maybe type your city (or cities) into this site to find out who your Local Election Official(s) might be and ask them?
posted by iamkimiam at 1:10 PM on September 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by iamkimiam at 1:10 PM on September 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
iamkimiam has it, incl for verifying what address to use. Call or email your LEO, they'll set you straight. And thank you for voting!
posted by peakes at 2:19 AM on September 2, 2020
posted by peakes at 2:19 AM on September 2, 2020
Response by poster: Thanks, I did contact them, I was really surprised that they got back to me so fast. I've submitted the registration/ballot request form and am waiting for a response.
posted by melamakarona at 9:14 AM on September 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by melamakarona at 9:14 AM on September 2, 2020 [1 favorite]
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