Guadalajara

Ballot Return Instructions

Ballot return procedures vary by state. You must check your state’s specific return requirements.

BALLOT RETURN BY MAIL

REQUIRED by AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WI and WY

The consulate has told us that they must get ballots to be included in their diplomatic pouch by October 1 in order for them to be received in your county in time to be counted. The consulate’s new address is Manuel Acuña 3410, Col. Monraz, 44670 Guadalajara, Jalisco. México. You can bring your ballot there in person or send it by express courier mail.

Take your ballot to iShop where they will truck it to the border and then put it in the US Postal System. One is in Col. Americana and the other is in Zapopan.

We strongly recommend you do this by September 30—or October 5th at the very latest.

If you are traveling to the U.S., you can put your ballot in the USPS yourself. We recommend that you confirm with your Local Election office that mailing the ballot from within the U.S. will be OK. Be careful about giving your ballot to another individual to return it for you; in many states, there are laws about who can carry another person’s ballot.

If you delay, you will have to use FedEx or DHL (expensive!). You will also have less time to "fix" your ballot if there are problems. Always ask for a postmark! ** If using these courier services, please call your local election official and get the address for courier delivery, and confirm that if needed someone will be able sign for envelope. **

BALLOT RETURN BY FAX

Allowed by AK, CA, FL, LA and OK (use this method instead of mailing)

If you do not have access to a fax machine, upload your ballot to a website like faxzero.com.

Check to see if your local papelería has a reliable fax machine.

You can also utilize a scan/email-to-fax service provided by the U.S government. Email your scanned ballot to [email protected]. You must include the fax cover sheet that comes with your ballot, or use the one found here: https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/TransmissionCoversheet.pdf

Dems Abroad will assist you to fax through fvap.gov and provide the cover sheet if there isn't one with your ballot

This service will convert your ballot into a fax and send it to the number you specify. FVAP can get overloaded closer to Election Day, so we recommend you use them only up to October 30.

BALLOT RETURN BY ELECTRONIC MEANS

Allowed by AL, AZ, CO, DE, DC, HI, IN, KS, ME, MA, MS, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OR, RI, SC, UT and WA

Please take advantage of email or online upload options if they are available to you (instead of mailing).

No matter how you return your ballot, you can contact us by email at I[email protected].

WELCOME TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD GUADALAJARA

The Democrats Abroad Guadalajara Chapter was formed in 2017 with 200 founding members who were previously part of the Lake Chapala Chapter. Since its creation, the Guadalajara Chapter has more than tripled in size to 600+ members and counting.

Our main goal as a chapter is to educate U.S. citizens in the Guadalajara area on how to vote in U.S. elections from abroad, elect Democratic candidates, and protect our democracy.

We are always looking for volunteers to help plan and organize events, recruit new members, mobilize and educate voters, and fundraise for the chapter.

Past volunteer-led events have included online sessions on how to register to vote from abroad, coffee socials, happy hour meetups, tax seminars, annual 4th of July party, video calls with U.S. Congresspersons and Senators, and much more.

To learn more about volunteering, please contact [email protected].