Message for U.S. Citizens: VOTING IN 2016 U.S. ELECTIONS

[Tywais]

VOTING IN 2016 U.S. ELECTIONS

Your vote counts! Did you know that many U.S. elections for house and senate have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by absentee voters? All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline.

Follow a few simple steps to make sure that you can vote in the 2016 U.S. elections:

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 FPCAallows 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 FPCA is 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 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.

1. 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.
   
2. 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 do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Place your ballots in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, and address them to the relevant local election officials.

You can drop off your absentee ballot or registration at the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai any Tuesday or Thursday from 0800 to 1530.

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 ([email protected]). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebookand 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 U.S. Consulate Chiang Mai’s Voting Assistance Officer at acschn [at] state.gov.

Remember, your vote counts!

[CaptHaddock]

Some states use voting and voter registration as a basis to collect state income tax from expats. Consider whether your vote is worth that risk.

[derator01]

This topic is not for political discussions. Please stick to the topic.

[skatewash]

Some states use voting and voter registration as a basis to collect state income tax from expats. Consider whether your vote is worth that risk.

Which is why, if possible, it's a good idea to leave the US as a resident of one of the seven states without state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming. If you are a former resident of any of those states the collection of state income tax is a non-issue for expats. Before leaving the US, I officially established residence in Florida. I continue to vote by absentee ballot as a resident of Florida.

If you are a former resident of any of the other states, you should note that:

Voting in an election for federal offices only may not be used as the sole basis to determine residency for the purposes of imposing State and local taxes. If you claim a particular State as your residence and have other ties with that State in addition to voting, then you may be liable for State and local taxation, depending upon that particular State law. Consult your legal counsel for specific questions or situations.

-- https://www.fvap.gov/info/laws/voting-residency-guidelines

So, if voting is the sole basis tying you to your former state of residence, you don't need to worry about the state using that as a basis to collect state income tax. If you have, or think you may have additional ties to your former state of residence (what those ties may be depends on the particular state involved), then you should investigate further. I wouldn't be quick to give up my right to vote without doing the necessary research.

[connda]

Your vote counts!

In the presidential race? No it doesn't. State referendums? Different story. Anyway, I've always voted regardless of how effective I believe it to be or not to be.

FYI, taxes. Many online sellers will collect state sales tax from individuals with a billing address in income tax free states, my own state being one of them. Small price to pay imho.

Edited January 27, 2016 by connda

[redbarron]

Rand Paul or Gary Johnson in 2016. Everyone else is just more of the same.

[JHolmesJr]

I reckon there will be record abstention this election....with the poor calbre of candidates on display.

[IMA_FARANG]

Thanks for the info.......but I don't vote.

[AgMech Cowboy]

I've tried to register with the registrar in Brazos County the previous two Presidential elections. I was told I don't live there and that I should register at the US Embassy in Thailand and could vote there. I knew she was wrong, but as I rarely visit the US since my Daughter moved over seas, there wasn't much I could do about it.

I hope with this information I can finally get registered and be able to at least vote.

[Mr Money Bags]

Rand Paul or Gary Johnson in 2016. Everyone else is just more of the same.

Thank you for the laughter, you REALLY made my day!!!

You're Welcome!!