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Voting
in Federal Elections
Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA),
the right to vote can be exercised by United States citizens in every
corner of the world. Generally, all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who
are residing outside the United States during an election period are eligible
to vote absentee in any election for Federal office (this includes Presidential
elections and the elections of Senators and Representatives).
Overseas voter assistance is provided by the Federal Voting Assistance
Program, on the web at www.fvap.gov.
You can also call them toll-free from Singapore at 800-1203425.
The procedures and deadlines to vote absentee vary from state to state.
However, the same document - the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
- is accepted by all states and territories as an application for both
registration and for an absentee ballot. As FPCAs
must be received in a timely manner for voting officials in the United
States to process a ballot request, the effective deadline for submission
of the FPCA is October 1, 2004.
The 2004 US General Election day is 02 November 2004. Ballots are mailed
by most states between 30 and 45 days in advance of the election. Deadlines
for ballot return vary by state. Click here see the
deadline for your state of legal residence.
The international courier companies Federal Express and UPS are both
offering special programs this year to assist U.S. citizen voters to send
their completed ballots for the upcoming General Election to their local
election offices in the United States in a timely manner. Please note:
The U.S. Embassy Singapore is providing this information as a public service
to U.S. citizen voters and does not endorse any particular company or
guarantee delivery of ballots or ballot requests.
Estimated transit time for ballots sent by courier is 2-5 days.
FedEx: Free Shipping for U.S. absentee ballots
FedEx Singapore will provide free shipping of absentee ballots for U.S.
voters this year. Bring your completed ballot to either the U.S. Embassy
American Citizen Services section, or the FedEx desk at the laundry department
in the American Club. You will be asked to fill out an air waybill, and
assistance in completing this will be provided.
At the American Club, ballots received by 2 p.m. will be sent on the
same day; ballots received after two p.m. will be sent on the following
day.
At the Embassy, American Citizen Services counter hours are 8:30 a.m.
to noon, and 2:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon on weekdays. Ballots received
in the morning will be sent on the same day, and those received in the
afternoon will be sent on the following business day.
UPS : Free Shipping for US Absentee Ballots
UPS will provide free shipping of absentee ballots for US voters at
three locations. This service will be available from 18 October to 29
October 2004.
1) The American School (Admin Office)
Mon - Fri UPS will pick up all the ballots at
3:00 PM
2) UPS House (reception area)
22, Changi South Avenue 2, Singapore 486064
Mon - Fri 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
3) Mail Boxes Exchange (MBE Suntec City)
3 Temasek Boulevard # 01-23/25 Suntac City Mall
Mon - Fri 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Sat 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
You will need to fill up an air waybill, and insert the ballot into the
UPS envelope before dropping it into the collection box.
UPS cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes. If the address provided
with your ballot is a P.O. Box, you may check for a street address of
phone number to request more information on the website of the Secretary
of your state. These websites can be found at http://www.defense.gov/fvap/links/statelinks.html.
State-By-State Deadlines For
Returning the
Voted Ballot
| Alabama |
The Voted Ballot must be postmarked by 5:00 P.M. on
November 1, 2004 and received by the county absentee election manager
by Noon on November 2, 2004. |
| Alaska |
The Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November
2, 2004 and sent by mail service equal to first class. Voted Ballots
mailed from outside the United States, including APO and FPO addresses,
must be received by November 17, 2004. Voted Ballots mailed stateside
must be received by November 12, 2004. If voting by fax, voted ballots
must be received by 8 p.m. (Alaska time) on or before election day. |
| American Samoa |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 1:30 PM on November 2, 2004. |
| Arizona |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 7:00 P.M on November
2, 2004. You may return the voted ballot by fax. |
| Arkansas |
The Voted Ballot must be executed by November 2, 2004 and arrive
by 5:00 P.M on November 12, 2004. |
| California |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls
(8:00 P.M) on November 2, 2004. |
| Colorado |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 7:00 P.M on November 2, 2004. You
may return the voted ballot by fax. |
| Connecticut |
The Voted Ballot must arrive before the close
of polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Delaware |
Voted Ballots arriving by Noon on November 1, 2004 will be counted
in their entirety (full ballot). Ballots for Federal offices received
after Noon on November 1, 2004 but before the close of polls on November
2, 2004 will be counted. |
| District of Columbia |
The Voted Ballot must be postmarked by midnight
on November 2, 2004 and arrive by November 12, 2004. Faxing allowed
only when military service prevents applicant from receiving absentee
ballot and returning the voted ballot within 45 days. |
| Florida |
The Voted Ballot must be received by the close of polls on November
2, 2004. The Federal office portion of a ballot mailed from outside
the United States will be counted if it is dated or postmarked by
November 2, 2004 and received by November 12, 2004. Overseas Uniformed
Services members may return the voted ballot to the fax number provided
by the local Supervisor of Elections. |
| Georgia |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 7:00 P.M on November
2, 2004. |
| Guam |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 8:00 P.M on November 2, 2004. |
| Hawaii |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls
on November 2, 2004. You may return the voted ballot by fax if you
requested the blank ballot be sent to you by fax. A waiver of secrecy
and ballot must be received by 6 p.m. (Hawaiian Standard Time) on
election day. |
| Idaho |
The Voted Ballot must arrive by 8:00 P.M on November 2, 2004. |
| Illinois |
The Voted Ballot must arrive in sufficient time
for it to be delivered to the polling place by 7:00 P.M on November
2, 2004. |
| Indiana |
Ballot must arrive in sufficient time for it to be delivered to
the precinct election board before the close of polls on November
2, 2004. It is recommended that the ballot be mailed to be received
by October 29, 2004. You may return the voted ballot by fax. |
| Iowa |
Ballot must be postmarked by November 1, 2004
and arrive by November 8, 2004. |
| Kansas |
Ballots must arrive by close of polls on November 2, 2004. You may
return the voted ballot by fax. |
| Kentucky |
Ballots must arrive by the close of polls on November
2, 2004. |
| Louisiana |
Ballots must arrive by November 2, 2004. You may return the voted
ballot by fax. |
| Maine |
Ballots must arrive by 8:00 PM on November 2,
2004. In certain emergency situations, such as combat situations,
Uniformed Service members may fax the voted ballot. |
| Maryland |
Ballot must be postmarked by November 1, 2004. Ballots mailed from
outside the United States must be received by 4:00 PM on November
12, 2004. Ballots mailed stateside must be received by 4:00 PM on
November 3, 2004. |
| Massachusetts |
Ballots mailed from within the U.S. must arrive
by 8:00 PM on November 2, 2004. Ballots mailed from outside the U.S.
must be postmarked by November 2, 2004 and received by November 12,
2004, to be counted. |
| Michigan |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 8:00 PM on November 2, 2004.
Minnesota Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November
2, 2004. |
Minnesota
|
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls
on November 2, 2004. |
| Mississippi |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 5:00 P.M. on November 1, 2004. You may
return the voted ballot by fax. |
| Missouri |
Voted Ballot must arrive before 7:00 P.M. on November
2, 2004. |
| Montana |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 8:00 P.M. on November 2, 2004. See the
Guide for counties that allow return of voted ballot by fax. |
| Nebraska |
Voted Ballot must be received by the close of
polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Nevada |
Voted Ballot must arrive at the local election office by 7:00 P.M.
on November 2, 2004. |
| New Hampshire |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 5:00 P.M. on November
2, 2004. |
| New Jersey |
Voted Ballot must arrive at the county board of elections office
by the close of polls on November 2, 2004. If you are overseas, you
may return the voted ballot by fax, not later than 8 p.m. (EST) on
election day. You must also submit the original ballot by airmail
together with certification. |
| New Mexico |
Voted Ballot must arrive before the close of polls
on November 2, 2004. You may return the voted ballot by fax. |
| New York |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 1, 2004 and be received
by November 9, 2004. For active duty military, in 2004 only, the deadline
for receipt of ballots is November 15, 2004. |
| North Carolina |
Voted Ballot must be returned by 5:00 P.M. on
November 1, 2004. Military and civilians serving with U.S. Armed Forces
outside the U.S., and Peace Corps members may return the voted ballot
by fax. |
| North Dakota |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 1, 2004. Ballots received
before the canvassing board meets will be counted (canvassing board
meets beginning 3 days after the election). You may return the voted
ballot by fax. |
| Ohio |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls
on November 2, 2004. Ballots mailed from outside the United States
will be counted if signed and postmarked by the close of polls on
November 2, 2004 and received by November 12, 2004. |
| Oklahoma |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 7:00 P.M. on November 2, 2004. Under
certain limited circumstances, you may be able to return the voted
ballot by fax. |
| Oregon |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 8:00 P.M. on November
2, 2004.
Pennsylvania Voted Ballot must arrive by 5:00 P.M. on October 29,
2004. |
Pennsylvania
|
Voted Ballot must arrive by 5:00 P.M. on October 29, 2004. |
| Puerto Rico |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 2, 2004 and be received
before 3:00 P.M. on November 2, 2004. |
| Rhode Island |
Voted Ballot must arrive by 9:00 P.M. on November 2, 2004. Military
and overseas citizens except for "Other" U.S. citizens residing
outside the U.S. (FPCA, 8d) may fax the voted ballot. |
| South Carolina |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004.
You may return the voted ballot by fax only in declared emergency
situations. |
| South Dakota |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Tennessee |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Texas |
Voted Ballot must be received by the close of polls on November
2, 2004. Ballots mailed from outside the United States will be counted
if placed in delivery by 7:00 P.M. on November 2, 2004 and received
by November 7, 2004 (no rollover to Monday). Active duty military
overseas or spouse or dependant of the member in hostile fire pay,
imminent danger pay or combat zone area may fax voted ballot. |
| Utah |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 1, 2004 and be received
by the county by Noon on the day of canvassing. Canvassing takes place
7 - 14 days following election. Some counties allow you to return
the voted ballot by fax in emergency situations. |
| Vermont |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Virgin Islands |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 2, 2004 and be received
by November 12, 2004. You may fax the voted ballot. |
| Virginia |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004. |
| Washington State |
Voted Ballot must be postmarked by November 2, 2004 and be received
by November 17, 2004. Some counties allow you to return the voted
ballot by fax. Visit http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections,
select County Auditors & Election Departments to find out which
counties accept faxing. |
| West Virginia |
Ballot must be voted, signed, dated and mailed by November 2, 2004
and arrive by November 8, 2004. |
| Wisconsin |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004.
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| Wyoming |
Voted Ballot must arrive by the close of polls on November 2, 2004.
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