Americans Overseas, Final 2022 Time to Vote!!

Are you fed up with the way the world has become unstable? Cost of living, shortages, education and medical care for your family in America. What about America’s impact on where you are currently living? YOU can make a difference by voting in the 2022 US Midterm Elections!! “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.” George Jean Nathan, American Drama Critic and Magazine Editor

Many overseas voters don’t vote for various reasons which are totally incorrect!!

They are not aware they are eligible to vote. “What, I can vote for Congress and Senate? I Thought I could only vote for President.” A total of 469 seats in the U.S. Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 8, 2022..
“My parents are Americans, but I was born overseas. I have a social security card and US Passport, but I can’t vote”. Did you know, a majority of states allow U.S. citizens who were born abroad and have never resided in the United States are eligible to vote absentee? Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Main, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
“My vote doesn’t count.” Guess what!! Your vote does count!! ”I want to assure overseas voters that all eligible voters who return their ballots within the timeframe established by law will have their ballots counted. There is a persistent myth among absentee voters that your vote will only count if “it is close”. Nothing could be further from the truth. All ballots issued to eligible voters, which are returned timely, are counted. Every vote counts. Prior to becoming New York’s chief election official, I served as a County Commissioner and experienced many tight votes. One race was decided by two absentee votes, so I have firsthand experience!” Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, Chief Election Official, New York State, Co-Executive Director, New York State Board of Elections
“It is too hard”. How hard is it to request your ballot online, and receive your ballot via email?
“I don’t have time to go to the Embassy.” Most states will allow you to return your ballot via email, fax, online, or voter app. Technology is wonderful. However, 19 states require ballots to be returned by “Snail Mail”. DHL-Israel is offering a 17% discount on courier packages to the US, until November 15th. Code is USA17

“We are not helpless. The fire is still burning. Please go out and vote this November. Too many people have died and sacrificed so much for us to have our voice, we have to use it. Get in formation. Use our voices to do something great for our children.” Beyoncé, American Singer Since 1986, U.S. citizens who are 18 or older have been given the right to vote in Federal Elections.

What if you want to vote and haven’t registered? Even though your election office may have sent its first round of absentee ballots, you can still get yours! ACT TODAY by registering and requesting your ballot from the state where you last lived – but remember that many states have registration deadlines approaching. You can use FVAP’s. easy online assistant at https://www.fvap.gov/FPCA to walk you through each section of the form. Make sure you request your ballot to be emailed. After you finish filling out the FPCA, print it, sign and date it, and then send it directly 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. If your state only allows fax and you don’t have a fax, use this Transmission Cover Sheet-In Bound that has all the information you need.

If you requested an absentee ballot, it’s on its way to you! Vote, sign, and send it back as soon as it arrives. If your ballot doesn’t arrive, a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be submitted.

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Abraham Lincoln, Former U.S. President

Here are 5 Tips to Get Your Ballot Back On Time to your local election office.

Send by the recommended vote-by date. For U.S. citizens living abroad, that’s October 24. But no need to wait — you can vote, sign, and send your ballot as soon as it arrives. Once you receive your requested absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as you get it. 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, you can send voted ballots electronically if allowed by state law. Check to see if your state accepts completed absentee ballots by email, fax, or via an online portal at FVAP.gov/guide.

If your requested ballot has not arrived, no need to worry. FWAB Online Assistant will autofill candidates based on your voting state. The Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is a backup ballot, so if your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.
You can check the status of your ballot. Some states have online ballot status tools. Select your state and then click “Check the status of your voted ballot.” If an online tool is not available contact your election official directly.
Need to find your state’s election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit FVAP’s contact page.
Remember, you may still have time to request an absentee ballot. Even though your election office may have sent its first round of absentee ballots, you can still get yours! Select your state to see if you still have time to request an absentee ballot with the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Be sure to select to have the ballot sent to you electronically. Register and request an absentee ballot before it’s too late. Get started now FVAP.gov./FPCA

Upcoming elections for federal office:

The following states have elections for federal office in the next 90 days:

November 2022 – 30 Day Notice: November 8: General Election, Special General Election- California U.S. Senate, Special General Election- Oklahoma U.S. Senate, and Louisiana Open Primary Election

December 2022- 60 Day Notice: December 6: Arkansas General Runoff, and Georgia General Runoff

December 10: Louisiana General Election

“It isn’t about who is the majority in Congress. It’s about, are people educated and enfranchised and resourced enough to participate in the government that purports to be of the people, by the people, for the people? We’re missing the people part—and not because people don’t care, but because we’re not doing our job as a country, as a culture, to make democracy work.” America Ferrera, Actress and Political Activist

If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or need help with the absentee voting process, please go to FVAP.gov, call toll free or email vote@fvap.gov. Democrats Abroad or Republicans Overseas are available to answer your questions. Since 2008, as a nonpartisan volunteer, I have helped overseas voters. You can contact me at votingfromabroad@gmail.com.

“If you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain.” George Carlin, American Comedian

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE