Voting in American Elections

links:
2008 Presidential and State primary election dates in th USA

Absentee Ballot Request

The United States government has worked hard to help make voting as simple and convenient as possible. http://www.fvap.gov/services/iwanttovote.html

STEP 1: Find out if You're Registered.

Before you can cast a ballot, you have to register to vote. Go to http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/ to learn what the deadline is to register in your state.  Even if you think you are already registered, it's a good idea to check to make sure your records are up-to-date. Simply find your state, county or city in our drop down menu and click on the link to check your voter registration record.

STEP 2: Register to vote

If you haven't registered to vote yet, register today. Simply go to  http://www.fvap.gov/index.html  to download the form you'll need. Follow the directions for completing the form and then mail it to the address that's listed for your state's chief election official.

 STEP 3: Know What Kind of ID is Required.

The states' identification requirements for voters often differ from state-to-state, but don't worry. You don't have to know what every state's requirement is -- you just need to know what kind of ID your home state will accept. Just look up your state http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/ to find out what you need,

STEP 4: Learn about the Candidates.

You may want to prepare for Election Day by finding out who's running for office before you go to the voting booth. http://www.democratsabroad.org  http://www.republicansabroad.org/

STEP 5: Mail your Absentee Ballot to have your vote count.

Be sure to mark your calendar so you don't forget to vote in your state's primary or caucus election and on Election Day.

If you can't make it to the polls on Election Day, you may be qualified to vote absentee. Absentee voting is conducted by mail, and sometimes in person, before Election Day. Typically, you will be asked to provide a reason why you can't participate on Election Day. Contact your local election officials to request an absentee ballot application or http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/

Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Remind your friends and family to vote, too. In fact, you may even want to round up the eligible voters you know and take them to the polls with you on Election Day.

But most importantly, VOTE!

 
Andee Goldman
Nevada to Netanya
May 2006

http://www.fvap.gov/index.html

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

http://www.republicansabroad.org/

http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/

http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/

http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/

(1) Start by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website at www.fvap.gov  for information on the absentee registration and voting process.
 (2) Visit the Overseas Vote Foundation http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org for help in absentee registration and voting.  
(3) Ensure that you have applied for your absentee ballot using the hard copy or on-line versions of the FPCA. (Federal Post Card Application)  http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.pdf
(4) Make sure you have the most current local election official mailing address. http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/Default.aspx?tabid=65
(5) Sign and date all election materials.
(6) Fulfill your state’s witness/notary requirements (if required).
(7) Ensure that your ballot or FPCA (Federal Post Card Application)  is postmarked and has the correct amount of postage.
(8) Register to vote and request your ballot in a timely manner.
(9) VOTE - mail your ballot not later than October 15th of the election year.
(10) Use the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot if you are overseas and your State absentee ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by the state’s deadline.
Source:  Federal Voting Assistance Program  www.fvap.gov/index.html and Overseas Vote Foundation  www.overseasvotefoundation.org

Should Americans living in Israel vote in American elections?  A simple survey conducted by a recent Israeli immigrant resulted in 79 participants.   The results revealed that 73% think that Americans living in Israel should still vote, while 26% said NO, and 1% said it depends.  According to the results, there seems to be a misunderstanding about voting rights of Americans.

MYTH - We have no right to vote or influence another country.
A Grad student attending a local University mentioned the Arab students in her class didn’t feel Americans living in Israel had any right to vote in America.  It was wrong and they should be discouraged to vote in America.

A 2 year Israeli resident - “I don’t believe in dual citizenship.”

A 23 year resident -  “I don’t live there I shouldn’t vote.”

A 35 year resident -  “Morally, I think it is wrong to live in Israel and vote in America.”

FACT – The government of the United States of America gave the privilege of voting to all American citizens. 

The U.S. Constitution has 27 Amendments and two contain voting rights.  
AMENDMENT XV - Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude--

AMENDMENT XXIV - Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.   (http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html)

The U.S. Department of State -  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html 
The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice.                 

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship and may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.  A person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship.  Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries.”

Myth – I don’t have the time to go to the Embassy to vote.

FACT - Everything you need to register is online.  There is no need to go to your local Embassy.   http://www.fvap.gov/index.html  http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org

Myth – I was not born in the US and I am not qualified to vote.

Fact – Americans born outside the US have the right to vote.  A majority of States will allow you to vote in the same State as your parents.  Each individual State has distinct requirements.  Refer to the following websites for each State: http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/     http://www.fvap.gov/index.html

Myth – I never register to vote in the US and I am not qualified to vote.
Fact -  See above.

Myth – I am required to have an address in the States in order to vote.

Fact – You are not required to have a US address to vote.  Your "legal state of residence" for voting purposes is the state you last resided in immediately prior to your departure from the U.S. This right extends to overseas citizens even though they may no longer own property or have other ties to their last state of residence and their intent to return to that state may be uncertain.

Myth - My address no longer exists, so I can’t vote.

Fact – You can use the address where you last lived in the US even though that address no longer exists. In the additional comments section of the voter registration form, you are given the opportunity to explain all of the address circumstances to the County Clerk. The fact that the address no longer exists should not affect your right to vote. 

Myth – My absentee ballot doesn’t count, so why vote?

Fact – Each vote does count.  Every State has different guidelines regarding the return of ballots.  In order to allow time for mail, some States accept the receipt of ballots after the election.   For example:

• Florida - If you are voting from outside the U.S. the Federal portion of your general election or presidential preference primary ballot will be counted if voted by the day of the election and received within 10 days following the election.
• New York - It must be postmarked by the day before the election and must arrive by the seventh day after the primary or special election and not later than thirteen days following the day of a general election.
  California - Ballot MUST arrive at the county elections office by the close of polls (8:00 p.m.) on Election Day.
• Illinois - Ballot MUST be received in the local Election office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day or by the 14th day following the Election if postmarked by the day before Election day.
• Delaware -Voted ballot must be returned to the Department of Elections that issued them no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

Why should Americans living in Israel vote? 
 “It is important because voting is a freedom that lots of folks don't have in this world. As a Jewish American living in Israel a lot of what goes on in America has a direct effect on Israel. If I have the chance to shape American views towards Israel I must do it as part of my mission.”  -  2 year Israeli resident

“To vote as it relates to Israel or because you still have friends and relatives in the U.S. who could be affected by the results.”  - 21 year Israeli resident

“I think that it is important and a privilege to continue to vote in America.”  - 22 year Israeli resident

“I think it is very important to continue to vote in the United States.”  - 41 year Israeli resident

“The more Americans who vote, the stronger America and Israel will become.  Elected officials go after the voters.  They will want our votes.”  - 9 month Israeli resident

For more information on voting rights:
http://www.fvap.gov/
http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/
http://www.aca.ch/index.htm

This survey was conduct by Andee Goldman of Netanya, Israel.  I was not influenced by any political party.  Voting information presented in this survey was based on my interpretation of the facts from the above referenced website. 
2-28-07