Voting in the 2024 US Elections from South Africa  

IMPORTANT: Each state has different rules, timeframes and processes. Please check your state-specific information now and plan. Follow your state’s timeframes and procedures carefully to ensure your 2024 vote counts!

More than half of the states now allow for electronic transmission of ballots from overseas voters but other states require “mail-in / postal” return of ballots. If your state requires mail-in-/postal return, please see the options below. Please do not use regular international post from South Africa. 

Democrats Abroad provides access to all the info you’ll need to vote from the Vote from Abroad website. This doc serves to provide information specific to voting from South Africa.  

VOTE FROM ABROAD (VFA) and the FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FVAP) 

We suggest voters use Vote from Abroad (VFA) (www.votefromabroad.org), a nonpartisan service of Democrats Abroad, to request your ballot and access your state info. However, you can also use resources from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) (www.fvap.gov). You’ll see references to FVAP here and in information from the US Consulates in South Africa.  

Vote from Abroad (VFA)  www.votefromabroad.org  

Get started now: 

1.  Request your overseas absentee ballot - start on the homepage to complete your Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) and submit it. Submit the FPCA annually. If you’re not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a registration form.

www.votefromabroad.org  

2.  Check your state’s voting procedures and timeframes – make a voting plan!

https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/  

3.  Answer any questions from the FAQs section or ask for help.

https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/  

If you request your 2024 ballots early in the year you will receive ballots, in the format offered by your state, for any elections you qualify for, including primaries if you select a party when you submit your FPCA. It is recommended that you submit your FPCA at the beginning of each year. 

VOTING OPTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICA 

• Electronic for the States that allow
• Courier
• US Consulate Diplomatic Pouch - NOT recommended now as we have passed their deadline of 30 Sept 
• Backup FWAB (if absentee ballot not received)
• DO NOT use regular international post from South Africa

IMPORTANT DATES 

21 Sept – 4 Oct 

Vote! Complete & return your ballot

4 October - Strongly suggested deadline for all DASA voters to have submitted their ballots! 

Voting is easy in some states and problematic in others. Take no chances, get it done now. 

REQUEST YOUR BALLOT / REGISTER TO VOTE 

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

If you have not already applied for an absentee ballot this year, please do so now. You can do this via www.votefromabroad.org  

IMPORTANT: 

• You can use your last residence in the US or your parents’ address
• If you have never lived in the US but are eligible to vote, click here https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/reside  
• Make sure to fill in all sections
• Selecting “Intend to return” will provide you with access to the full ballot (state and federal). For more info click here: 
  https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/
• Ensure you provide a South African address and a phone number
• Select “Receive absentee ballot by email” and ensure your email address is clear
• Make sure you have signed the FPCA (they will compare this signature with the one on your ballot)

OVERSEAS ABSENTEE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT 

Overseas absentee ballots are now out! If you have not requested yours (submitted the FPCA) do that TODAY at www.votefromabroad.org. If you requested it but have not received it please contact your local officials.  

Check your state-specific rules and timeframes (as well as tips on how to return your ballot - some states make it very challenging!) at www.votefromabroad.org/states - look at your state, make a checklist and follow it to the detail! Every ballot needs to be counted! 

1-4 OCTOBER - VOTE! 

It all comes down to the number of people who actually vote. Please vote!  Every (valid) absentee ballot is always counted - not just in close elections! 

IMPORTANT:

• Follow the instructions for your ballot carefully and completely!
• Ensure your handwriting is legible.
• Make sure you sign and date your ballot.
• Confirm that your ballot has been received and counted by emailing your local official or using the state’s online portal.
• State-specific info available at https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/
• In some states, it is unlawful for any other person to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed. You can find info on state laws regarding other people handling your ballot here https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-10-ballot-collection-laws 

ELECTRONIC BALLOT RETURN 

About half of the states now provide options for voters to return their ballots electronically. 

See what your state requires: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/  

IMPORTANT: 

If your state allows for electronic ballot return, we strongly suggest you use it.  More info here https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT1

• If returning by fax or email: return each ballot separately.

• If sending via fax – where allowed by specific states: 
  https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT4
   

If you don’t have access to a fax machine, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) offers a free email-to-fax service. You will need to email your ballot and any required supporting materials (see your state’s instructions) to [email protected]  using the FVAP fax transmission coversheet at: www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/coversheet.pdf   FVAP will then fax your election materials to your Local Election Officials.

POSTAL / MAIL-IN RETURN REQUIRED 

See what your state requires: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/  

If your state requires you to return your ballot by mail / post, we strongly advise that you use a courier after 1 October 2024.

The Consulate deadline for Diplomatic Bag drop-offs was 30 Sept and has passed. 

For Courier or Mailing from Within the US

• Follow your ballot instructions carefully!
• If you hope to mail your overseas absentee ballot from within the US, please contact your Local Election Officer to confirm that it will be accepted. All states have different rules.
• You can print the postage-paid envelopes at https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms
• Write "Official Election Materials" on the envelope 

If sending by Courier: 

• We suggest sending it by October 8 (don’t wait till it’s late!)
• If sending back more than one ballot by courier to the same local officials- close and seal each ballot separately. Then put all into the courier envelope.
• You must ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope.
• We do not recommend booking or paying online for courier service. You may not receive a postmark if you book or pay online.
• Track your package to ensure it’s delivered on time and confirm it’s been received.

IF YOU DON’T RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT 

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) 

A backup ballot 

As long as you have already applied for your absentee ballot the FWAB serves as a backup ballot if 1) you want to vote extra early or 2) your ballot doesn’t arrive on time.  

For more info on using the FWAB Backup Ballot - https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BB1  

You can complete the FWAB online   https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice  but you will need to print it and submit according to your state’s rules. 

IMPORTANT: 

• If you’ve requested your ballot but don’t see it in your email – check your spam folder – it will come from your local election official
• Make sure to fill in the form carefully and completely
• Sign the form with the same signature you used on your absentee ballot application
• Write in the names of the candidates of your choice. If you have not received your list of candidates, you can write in “Democrat” for all. This list should be available from your state. It will be sent out with absentee ballots or you can request from local officials.
• Make sure you sign the secrecy page too.

Help is available! 

State by State Info - https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/  

FAQs - https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/ You’ll find the answers to most questions here!  

Global Help Desk Email -  [email protected]

Online 1-1 help via Zoom is now available https://www.votefromabroad.org/voter-support/ 

Helpdesk - This icon on the bottom right of the VFA website opens the chat/help function – it’s staffed by experienced Democrats Abroad/VFA Volunteers living around the world.

Need help scanning? Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone.

If you don't have a scanning app on your phone, you can use Adobe Scan mobile app for iPhone & Android

Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) will be available to assist to a limited extent - we are not experts and don't have the capacity to help every individual. Every state has different rules, so we strongly encourage you to use the above resources to prepare and to do so early. We will regularly share info and updates via email, in our WhatsApp group and social media, please stay connected. You can contact DASA at [email protected] 

It’s very important to vote your ballot completely. The simplest way is to vote for Democrats straight down the ballot. Some elected positions do not have a party affiliation directly associated with the party, like school boards, judges, and others. To determine who to vote for in those cases, you can do the following: 

• Google your local US Democratic Party
• League of Women Voters offers a personalized ballot service at https://www.vote411.org/ballot. You can learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues. You can print or email the information to use as a reference when you vote.
• Google: Ballotpedia "your state" elections 2024 - Example: Ballotpedia Florida elections 2024
• You can Google the candidate's name to find their campaign website and information about each person.

Every vote counts! Please vote. 

Thank you, 

Democrats Abroad South Africa 

[email protected]