THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
As an American citizen you could be eligible to vote in elections that have been called in the United States - even if you’ve never lived in the US. It’s your right under The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
So who is eligible to vote from abroad? US citizens who are 18 or older and active duty members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, or commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; their eligible family members; and - crucially for The American’s readers - US citizens residing outside the United States.
Voting from abroad can look daunting but in actuality it’s not difficult. But where do you start?
One good place is the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). It’s government-run, administered on behalf of the Defense Department, because it was originally set up to help military personnel serving overseas to vote, but it has broadened it’s remit to serve civilians living abroad. It’s free, fair and non-partisan. It assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, election officials from all 50 states, US territories, and the District of Columbia.
States and territories all have their own voting regulations, so when you’ve decided to vote it’s a good idea to go to www.fvap.gov and see the guidelines that apply to your situation. You can see all upcoming election dates and deadlines, find your election office, get a step-by-step guide to voting and even check the status of your voted ballot.
The American will keep you up to date with future elections when they are called, in the magazine and at on the website - you can sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here too, it’s free and we’ll tell you about elections in it too. Click here to get the newsletter.
For more information and help, go to www.fvap.gov
