Be an Absentee Voter, Not an Absentee Citizen - VOTE! Guadalajara Reporter
go to original September 18, 2012

This slogan, from a U.S. Navy veteran, has particular significance to the large community of American ex-pats and dual U.S./Mexican citizens who live through-out Mexico.

In past years voting from abroad was a complicated, time-consuming process and there were always doubts over whether the votes were counted. Today, that is totally different thanks to the Internet and the effort by the U.S. government and other groups to assist voters who live outside the U.S. After all, there are over six million of us.

Although the process is much easier, it still involves a few steps and the deadlines are crucial. Here is a simple outline of both the process and the timing.

You can vote from Mexico if you are:

• A citizen of the U.S.
• At least 18 years old and
• Living outside the U.S. — no matter the time you have been abroad, or when you last voted.
• If your primary residence is in the U.S., but you spend time in Mexico, and will be here on Election Day, you can also vote as an absentee under the normal rules that apply in your USA county. Contact that election office to register for your absentee ballot.

So, if you wish to vote, either by via VoteFromAbroad.org  or by a regular Absentee Ballot, the first step is to register with your election office. That office is determined by the address of your last residence in the U.S.

For example, if you moved to Mexico from Los Angeles, your election office is Los Angeles County.  You register with them by mailing them a simple form called the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You can get a copy online at VoteFromAbroad.org.

Even if you registered in the past, you must still register again for this election to Vote From Abroad. The law requires voters from abroad to re-register every election year.

The legal deadline for registering to vote is November 6, 2012, and varies by state. Some states also allow you to fill out, sign, scan and email or fax your registration and VoteFromAbroad.org has links that will let you find out. Just answer a few questions and it will automatically match the FPCA to your state's rules and give you the address of your election office. Print it out and mail it. However, if for any reason you need help, send an email to overseasvoter2012@yahoo.com and our volunteers will assist you.

  Learn about Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF)

  Learn about Democrats Abroad Mexico