July 4 Message on US Voters from American Institute in Taiwan...

In order to vote in the November 2016 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2016.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each year to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter. 

You can always get voting assistance from the American Institute in Taiwan or drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, at AIT’s American Citizen Services Unit.  If you’re in Taipei, drop off your materials any Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 11:00am.  If you’re in Kaohsiung, please email us first atVoteKAOHSIUNG@state.govto set up a time to drop off your voting materials. Normal transit time from Taiwan to the United States is approximately 3 weeks.

If you have never voted while overseas before, the process is easy ­-- just follow these steps:

1.     Request Your Ballot:  Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You must complete a new FPCA after January 1, 2016 to ensure you receive your ballot for the 2016 elections.  The completion of the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. The FPCAis accepted by all local election officials in all U.S. states and territories. 

You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP.gov.  The online voting assistant will ask you questions specific to your state.   We encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state).  Include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option.  Return the FPCA per the instructions on the website.  FVAP.gov will tell you if your state allows the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original signature.  If you must return a paper version, please see below for mailing options.

2.     Receive and Complete Your Ballot:   States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections.  For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online.

3.   Return Your Completed Ballot:  Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not.  If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can return your voted ballot to your local officials free of charge at the American Citizen Services Unit.  You can drop off your ballot request or voted ballot at AIT’s American Citizen Services Unit.  If you’re in Taipei, drop off your materials any Mondaythru Friday from 8:30 to 11:00am.  If you’re in Kaohsiung, please email us first at VoteKAOHSIUNG@state.gov to set up a time to drop off your voting materials.  They must be in either postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, and must also be addressed to the relevant local election officials.  This service from AIT to your local election official can take 18-20 days.  If it’s more convenient for you, you can also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense.

Researching the Candidates and Issues:  Online Resources.  Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues.  Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line.  You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the internet to locate articles and information.  For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP's Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov).  FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact AIT’s Voting Assistance Officers at VoteTAIPEI@state.gov orVoteKAOHSIUNG@state.gov.

Remember, your vote counts!

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