Upcoming local events

Information on how to vote

Resources

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"I haven't gotten my ballot. What do I do?"

Most states sent the absentee ballots out the first week in October, but many of us who registered and requested an absentee ballot this year have not yet received them. If your absentee ballot has arrived, please fill it out according to the instructions that came with it and mail it right away.

If your absentee ballot has not yet arrived, you can use the Federal Write‑In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and send it in right away.

Remember, in addition to the White House, we need to win the Senate and House of Representatives. Be sure to vote for these positions as well.

Federal Write‑In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) Step‑by‑Step Voter Check‑List

The FWAB is a back‑up ballot that you can vote today.  If you subsequently receive your state ballot, vote that, too. The FWAB is only counted if your state ballot is not received by your state by the ballot return deadline. To check the deadlines, go to www.democratsabroad.org/registration_dates

To get the FWAB: Go to http://www.VoteFromAbroad.org. Simply answer the six screens of questions and download and print the nine-page document. You will receive (1) instructions, including the address for mailing the FWAB; (2) Electronic Transmission Sheet and Federal Postcard Application, which you do not need and do not actually need to print out; (3) the Federal Write‑in Absentee Ballot, which includes a Voter's Declaration/Affirmation, the ballot and instructions. You do not need to print out the second ballot page because it is usually not required.

Sign and date the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation: When you use VoteFromAbroad.org, your Voter's Declaration/Affirmation will be filled in based upon your voting state's requirements and the information you provided. You just need to review the information, sign and date it. Check the following list to see if you need a witness or additional documentation.

     - Alabama: 2 witnesses (must be over the age of 18) or Notary. Your local US Embassy or Consulate office in Spain provides free notary service.

     - Alaska: 1 witness (dated and signed). A witness is any person over the age of 18.

     - Arizona: proof of citizenship (copy of passport or birth certificate).

     - Louisiana: 2 witnesses (must sign security envelope).

     - North Carolina: 2 witnesses (must be over 18; sign and include address).

     - South Carolina: 1 witness. No signature necessary.

     - Virginia: 1 witness. No signature necessary.

     - Wisconsin: 1 witness (include date of birth of witness, must be a US citizen).

Vote the FWAB: You can either write in the candidate's name or the word "Democrat."  Please vote for President, Vice President, and any US Senate seats and US House of Representative seat that may also be up for election in your district. To find your Congressional District, go to http://www.votesmart.org/, enter your voting zip code and then click on "current elections."

Seal the ballot envelope: Put only your voted FWAB in a plain white envelope and seal it. Write on the outside of the envelope "Security Envelope."

In the mailing envelope: Put the sealed Security Envelope and the signed and dated Voter's Declaration/Affirmation in a mailing envelope.

Enter return address: Write your name and current mailing address in Spain on the upper left hand corner of the mailing envelope.

Address the envelope: Write the address of your local election office on the mailing envelope. The address of your local election office is provided on your customized instruction sheet.

Double check: Make sure you have completed everything.

Seal the addressed envelope and mail your FWAB today.

Ensure evidence of mailing from outside the US with a foreign postmark: All states will accept a foreign postmark as evidence of submission from outside the US. Remember to use enough postage from Spain. Even if the envelope says "Postage Paid," this does not work outside of the US. Take your ballot to the post office. The Spanish Postal Service (Correos) recommends using Certified Mail (Carta Certificada), which should cost less than 5 euros. The post office will give you proof of mailing, weigh the ballot to ensure correct postage, and stamp it with a postmark, which is required in some states. If you take your FWAB to the US Embassy or Consulate, you will not speed up the process and in some cases you will need to put a US postage stamp on it. It is quicker to use the Spanish postal system.

Remember: If your official absentee ballot arrives, fill it out also and mail it to your local election office. They will count it if it arrives before the state deadline. If it does not arrive in time, your FWAB ensures that your vote does count.

For Questions: You (and your friends, even if they aren't members of Democrats Abroad) can send your voting questions to spain@democratsabroad.org, help@votefromabroad.org or votercentral@democratsabroad.org. Our experts will be glad to answer you. Every vote counts, especially yours.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SPAIN

Seville

Sevilla for Obama T‑shirts are available for 15 euros. Write sevilledems@gmail.com if you are interested.

Oct. 16, Thursday: Debate Party/Drinking Liberally, 9 p.m., at Merchant's Malt House.

Nov. 4, Tuesday: Election Party, 9:30 p.m., location to be announced.

Barcelona

Oct. 16, Thursday: Third presidential debate screening, 7:30 p.m., at Bar Dostrece, calle Carmen, 40. (metro: Liceu, green line) We will be downstairs. A suggested 2 euro donation will be collected for Democrats Abroad. Please RSVP to bcndems@gmail.com so we have an idea about numbers.

Oct. 19, Sunday: Obama House Party. Details forthcoming.

Nov. 4, Tuesday: Election Night Party, 9:30 p.m. Details forthcoming.

Madrid

There will be no Talk Politics Tertulia on Oct.15 due to the presidential debate screening on Oct. 16.

Oct. 16, Thursday: Third presidential debate screening, 8 p.m., in the auditorium of the Casa de America, Plaza de Cibeles (metro: Banco de España). This debate, at Hofstra University in New York, will focus on US domestic policies, such as the economy, immigration and education. It will be followed by live analysis from Democratic and Republican pundits, moderated by US Embassy Political Officer and First Secretary William Duncan. In English with simultaneous translation to Spanish courtesy of Casa de America.

Oct. 16, Thursday: Conference call with Barack Obama, Richard Danzig, and Jason Furman. Minimum donation $250. Contact Rachel Yingling at americansinspainforobama@gmail.com

Oct. 21, Tuesday: Madrid Chapter meeting, 8:30 p.m., place to be announced. Guest Speaker, Ambassador Rosapepe, former Ambassador to Romania, appointed by Clinton. He is a co-chair of the Ethnic Caucus for the Obama Campaign and runs Italian-American Democrats. He will discuss the campaign and foreign policy issues.

Oct. 24, Friday: Barack the Vote Party. Details forthcoming.

Nov. 4, Tuesday: Election Night Party. Details forthcoming.

RESOURCES

Obama issue sheet for Americans living overseas

In this 5‑page PDF, Obama addresses issues of special concern to Americans living overseas, such as citizenship, voting, a census, and financial issues like Social Security, as well as the domestic and foreign policy issues, the war in Iraq, and energy independence. Download it at: https://www.democratsabroad.org/node/6630