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An Important Message from Democrats Abroad
Time is getting very close to deadlines for US Citizens and dual US Citizens to participate in the upcoming US elections. Know your rights and know your options!
Your Rights
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voter Act (UOCAVA) protects the voting rights of members of the Uniformed Services and U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S. This means that Americans living in Mexico have the right to vote without having to return to the US.
Your Resources
There are several online infrastructures to register/request your ballot, and to receive your ballot by email. Because individual states have the responsibility and authority to administer voting, the ballot formats and ballot return options vary.
We at Democrats Abroad can recommend two online options for registering to vote and/or requesting your ballot if you are currently registered. The first is VoteFromAbroad.org and the other is FVAP.gov. VoteFromAbroad has more robust help resources and more timely updates to changes in local election offices’ contact information. Especially if you are digitally competent, you can follow the online questions and create your registration/ballot request application and email (and/or fax) it to the appropriate local election office.
The entire process may be online. Some will require the ability to print and scan the application to email (or fax) it to the local election office. Some state voter registrations require the paper applications be sent.
In The Puerto Vallarta area, there are two Vote From Abroad centers with trained volunteers to help:
*Wednesdays 11:00AM to 2:00 PM in Let’s Pho Restaurant (Lázaro Cárdenas 179, Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta- across from Lazaro Cárdenas Park)
*Wednesdays 9:00AM to 12:00 PM in Restaurante Miguel Ángel (Venustiano Carranza s/n, Bucerías, Nay.- across from Plaza Bucerias.
What You Need
Your voting address is your last established residence in the US. You may no longer have a residence there. You need that full address including the ZIP Code. You will need either a state issued identification (usually still acceptable if recently expired) or the last four digits of your social security number. You need your address here (including colonia) and código postal. You also will need an email not shared with another US voter.
It is most important to get your email correct because this is how the election office will contact you if there is a problem with your application and also it is how it will send your ballot!
You may need access to a printer to print your application. If you do not have a scanner or fax option on your printer these services are available as applications on your tablet or smartphone. Many are free for limited use. Scanner Pro is an example.
If you have not requested your ballot, do not delay.
Some voter registration deadlines are as early as October 7; ballot request deadlines are later.
Returning Your Ballot
Voters who already requested their ballots have been receiving emails with their ballots or download links along with instructions, and related documents in PDF. If it is over eight days since you requested your ballot, email or better yet call your election office.
For states that allow email, online, and/or fax ballot returns, please use these faster services as soon as practical. Follow their instructions to the letter. If you do not understand, contact the election office for clarification. If faxing your ballot, print and use this coversheet https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/coversheet.pdf. For states that allow fax, but no other electronic voting, you can use FVAP’s free email-to-fax service fax@fvap.gov; allow 3-4 days lead time.
Twenty-three states require that the physical ballots be returned including GA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, and TX. If you do not have access to a printer, Copy Planet, Office Max, Office Depot, Mi Internet Café, PrintPV offer printing services. Follow all voter instructions to the letter.
You can use DHL or FedEx to send your ballot directly to your local election office. You need an address other than PO Box. If you need the contact information for your local election official, you can go to www.votefromabroad.org. The contact information is at “Your State Rules” (scroll to “Find Your Election Office”). Do not send “signature required;” most election offices will not sign. You should ask for a postmark. Consult your ballot return instructions to comply with other state specific requirements for courier services. This can be expensive at $80 USD or more!
iShop & Mail Puerto Vallarta Península (322 221-1770) and iShop & Mail Bucerías (329 298-0064) are mail forwarding services that may be a more economical alternative.
Call ahead to verify adequate time to get your ballot to the US and then through the US mail by November 5.
If you happen to be traveling to the US, you can put your ballot in a mailbox there. Be careful about giving your ballot to another individual to return it for you; in many states, there are laws about who can carry another person’s ballot.
Last Chances
Request your ballot now; return your ballot as soon as practical. If you are registered but still have not received your ballot and time is running down, we can complete and send a “backup ballot.” These must be sent from and marked outside the US, which will mean using a courier service and requesting date and location stamps. More information is available https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fwab.pdf
If you have requested that your ballot be sent to you, but decide that you need to vote in person, contact your election office first and let them know. If you receive your ballot before you go, bring it with you to the voting location.
You Can Do This
Voting is your right even if you cannot return to the US to cast your ballot. However, you must act now. For personal assistance, please contact our volunteers at votefromabroad.cb@gmail.com or visit us at our Vote From Abroad Centers. It’s time to turn the page. Let’s do something now!
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