If you're a U.S. citizen or dual-national abroad and Georgia was your last U.S. residence (or the last U.S. residence of your American parent if you've never lived in the U.S.), you have the right to vote from abroad in the U.S. Senate run-off election on January 5, 2021!
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Wenn Du die U.S.-amerikanische oder doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft besitzt, und der Bundesstaat Georgia dein letzter Wohnsitz war (oder der letzte Wohnsitz eines U.S.-amerikanischen Elternteils sofern Du nie in den USA gelebt hast), hast Du das Recht darauf, bei der am 5. Jannuar 2021 stattfindenen Stichwahl zum U.S. Senat teilzunehmen!
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Join Democrats Abroad Here
Last updated: December 23, 2020
Below you'll find an overview of the entire process of voting from abroad in the January 5 Georgia run-off election, including how to:
1. register to vote and request your ballot,
2. confirm you're registered to vote and will receive a ballot,
3. access your ballot,
4. package your ballot,
5. return your ballot,
6. confirm your ballot's arrival, and
7. get voter assistance.
Please note that there is NO IN-PERSON VOTING in Germany for the January 5 run-off election!
Identify where to start...
If you received a ballot online for the November 3 General Election, you should have automatically received a run-off ballot by November 21. Please skip to Step 2 to confirm your registration and ballot status.
If you received a ballot by postal mail for the November 3 General Election, you should resubmit an overseas absentee ballot request form (FPCA) and request to receive your run-off ballot by email/online. Please start with Step 1.
If you did not receive a ballot for the November 3 General Election, or aren't yet registered to vote in Georgia, please start with Step 1.
Wenn Du Hilfe auf deutscher Sprache benötigst, kontaktiere uns unter [email protected].
1) Register to vote and request your ballot 📝
Visit www.votefromabroad.org to fill out the overseas absentee ballot request form (FPCA) — it only takes 5-10 minutes! If you're not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a voter registration form. On the FPCA (Question 5), mark that'd you'd like to receive your absentee ballot by email/online.
Watch a video on how to use www.votefromabroad.org in English or auf Deutsch. |
Once you've filled out the FPCA on www.votefromabroad.org, you will need to submit it to your county election office in Georgia. Submit your FPCA by email (you'll be prompted to do this).
If you have any questions while filling out the FPCA, you can also always refer to Vote from Abroad's FAQ section or type your question in the website's chatbox (red circle in the bottom right-hand corner).
2) Confirm you're registered to vote and that you will receive a ballot ☑️
- Go to the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do (case sensitive). Enter your first initial, your last name, the county in which you vote, and your date of birth in the right-hand column.
- On the bottom left-hand corner of the My Voter Page (under “Absentee Ballot Request Information”), click on “Click Here for Absentee Ballot Status”.
- Verify that you are registered with the information about the runoff election.
You can also contact your local election official directly by phone or email to confirm your registration and ballot status. Look up their contact info here.
3) Access your ballot 💻
As required under federal law (MOVE Act), Georgia was required to send you your run-off ballot by November 21, 2020.
Here's how you can access your ballot:
- Go to the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do (case sensitive). Enter your first initial, your last name, the county in which you vote, and your date of birth in the right-hand column.
- On the upper left-hand corner of the My Voter Page (under “Voter Information”), click on “UOCAVA Ballot”.
- Download, print, and fill out your ballot.
If your ballot is not yet accessible, write to [email protected] for help.
4) Package your ballot ✉️
Read all ballot instructions very carefully – human error is a leading cause of ballots being rejected. Please sign where specified and use two differently sized envelopes!
- Place your ballot only in in a smaller, unmarked envelope (also known as a "secrecy" envelope) and seal it.
- Complete and sign your Oath of Elector form.
- Place your sealed smaller secrecy envelope AND your completed and signed Oath of Elector form into a larger, outer envelope and seal it.
- On the sealed larger envelope, write your local election office's address, which is included with your ballot instructions. Don't forget to write USA at the bottom of the address field.
5) Return your ballot 📬
Georgia requires that overseas ballots be returned by postal mail. We've outlined your return options below. Return your ballot immediately. Ballots must be postmarked by January 5 and received by January 8 — but do not delay!
At this point, we recommend exclusively using a courier service, such as DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS.
We do NOT recommend using the diplomatic pouch at U.S. embassies or consulates at any point, as the return times are fluctuating and unreliable.
We do NOT recommend using regular mail service with Deutsche Post. If you'd nonetheless like to send your ballot with Deutsche Post, please take it to the post office to ensure it receives the correct postage. Do NOT send your ballot as registered mail (“Einschreiben”). This is known to prompt delays and, in cases where there is no signee on the receiving end, prevent ballots from being delivered.
6) Confirm your ballot's arrival at your local election office in Georgia ✔️
Once you've sent your ballot, log onto the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page. Under “Absentee Ballot Request Information”, click on “Click Here for Absentee Ballot Status” to confirm your ballot's arrival. You can also contact your local election official directly by phone or email to confirm that your ballot has arrived. Look up their contact info here.
Please do not just assume that your ballot has made it! Follow up and get confirmation!
7) Having trouble? Need help? 😕
We understand that the process of voting from abroad can be confusing — that's why we're here to help. Check on the link below to get LIVE one-on-one support on Zoom at the times specified (all times CET).
Saturdays (12pm-6pm)
Sundays (6am-6pm)
Tuesdays (6pm-10pm)
and Thursdays (12pm-10pm)
Access live help here.
You're also welcome to contact us via this Google form or by writing to [email protected].