American National Voter Registration Day – 9/20/22

On September 20, 2022, Americans will celebrate National Voter Registration Day with a massive cross-country effort to register voters ahead of the hotly contested midterm elections. Every eligible American voter should have the option to exercise their right to be heard at the ballot box, and National Voter Registration Day is the right day to start by getting registered. Communities across the country, in all 50 states and DC, are planning to use National Voter Registration Day to get registered and get #VoteReady.  

A total of 469 seats in the US Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 8, 2022. The seats of five of the six non-voting members of the US House are up for election as well. Overseas voters ballots will be emailed or mailed on or about September 24th.  

The National Association of Secretaries of State established September as National Voter Registration Month in 2002 as a nonpartisan means of encouraging voter participation and increasing awareness about state requirements and deadlines for voting. Sept. 20, 2022, will be recognized as National Voter Registration Day.

Election rules vary widely among states because states, rather than the federal government, play the primary role in creating policy on elections administration. State legislatures and ballot measures create many of the rules governing ballot access, voter registration, and vote counting. Even though every state has their own voting laws and deadlines, many are participating to help and encourage all voters, no matter where they live.

“The New York State Board of Elections is pleased to once again participate in National Voter Registration Day. The Board of Elections is encouraging all New York State voters to check their registration status to ensure they are ready to vote in the November General Election. The Board hopes to prepare voters by sharing relevant registration information, including ways to register and registration deadlines, on our social media and website. Voters can find more information about registering and voting in New York State by visiting elections.ny.gov.”   Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky – Co-Executive Director, New York State Board of Elections Chief Election Official, New York State

“The best way to make your voice heard is by registering to vote and participating in elections. It gives you power. I urge all eligible but unregistered Iowans to take just three minutes this month and register to vote. If you’re already registered, make sure the information we have on file is up to date.”  Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate   

Nevada Secretary of State, Barbara Cegavske, encourages participation in the election process no matter what time of year, but Voter Registration Month and Voter Registration Day are very important to the office. ” Participating in the voting process is a right as well as a responsibility for all eligible Americans, no matter where they currently reside”.

“Georgia’s record-breaking turnout reflects both the confidence and enthusiasm of voters across the state. I encourage all eligible Georgians to register to vote and all already registered voters to go to the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to ensure that their information is accurate and up-to-date. The first step to making your voice heard in November’s election is registering to vote, and Georgia is nationally-recognized as having some of the best processes for voter registration in the country.”  Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger

As a US citizen living outside the country, YOU can vote absentee while living away from your voting residence. Voting rights for Americans overseas was changed in 1986 by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). A law that protects the right of US citizens residing outside the United States to register and vote absentee in elections for federal offices. Who can vote?  US Citizen, 18 years old on or before Election Day, and registered to vote by your state’s voter registration deadline. In some states, US citizens who were born abroad — and have never resided in the United States — are eligible to vote absentee.

Ready to vote, but not sure if you are registered to vote? Have you recently moved, changed your name, had your voting rights restored, or not sure which state applies to your living situation?  No need to worry because non-partisan voting assistance is available: Federal Voting Assistance Program or National Association of Secretary of State.

•     Register and request your ballot by your state’s deadline. You can use FVAP’s easy online assistant at www.fvap.gov/FPCA to walk you through each section of the form. REQUEST YOUR BALLOT TO BE EMAILED. After you finish filling out the FPCA, print it, sign it, and send it to your election office. Most states accept the FPCA by email or fax while some require it by mail. Check your state-specific guidelines at FVAP.gov.
•     Ballots will be sent out 45 days before the election: on or about September 24th. Once you receive your requested absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as you get it. If your ballot is required to be returned by mail, remember to carefully follow the instructions, especially if a “security envelope” is required, and sign the package as indicated when returning it. To save time, send voted ballots electronically if allowed by state law. Voters can check if their state accepts completed absentee ballots by email, fax, or via an online portal at FVAP.gov/guide.
•    If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at www.fvap.gov/FWAB. It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.
•    Return your ballot promptly, according to your State’s requirements. 
•    If you are required to mail your ballot, DHL-ISRAEL is offering a 17% discount for shipping to the USA.  Code USA17
•    Make sure your ballot is received by your state. Go to FVAP.gov, click on your state and then the “check the status of your voted ballot” button.

Have questions, or need assistance? Help is available.  FVAP:   email vote@fvap.gov    International toll-free phone and fax numbers.  National Association of Sec of State        Andee Goldman  votingfromabroad@gmail.com