Time is of the essence in returning your U.S. election ballot from Australia!
Once you have registered and requested your ballot through VoteFromAbroad.org, here are some options for returning your completed ballot from Australia.
If your state allows e-mail, on-line upload, or fax for ballot return, please use these options as they are less subject to delay.
If you must mail your ballot and are concerned about being able to complete your ballot in a timely fashion once received -- for example, if you are traveling during this time -- or you have not received it when you expected to, consider filling out and mailing a back-up ballot. You can find the instructions and form for the back-up ballot (known as the FWAB, or Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot) under “quick links” on FVAP.gov, and it is also available through VoteFromAbroad.org. If the ballot is not pre-populated and you must write in the candidates’ names, you may simply write Democratic Ticket to indicate your intention without specific names.
Otherwise, once you receive your ballot, and if your state requires you to mail it, here are some options in Australia:
- U.S. Embassy or Consulate, Diplomatic Pouch: This service is free of charge. You must allow at least 30 days for the ballot to reach its destination. The completed ballot package must include U.S. postage on the outer envelope unless it has postage paid indicia such as the one on the envelope template you can obtain here. You must drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, during the following hours:
- U.S. Consulate General, Sydney – between 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Monday – Thursday).
- U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne – between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
- U.S. Consulate General, Perth – between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
- U.S. Embassy, Canberra – between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
- Australia Post: There are only two options that do not require a signature, which is important because some local election offices may only have a Post Office (PO) box address and, even if there is a street address, obtaining a signature may be difficult.
- Economy Air ($4AUD): It is currently taking up to three weeks for mail to reach U.S. destinations.
- Standard ($20AUD): AusPost estimates this delivery method takes about two weeks, and it does not require a signature.
- Registered ($20AUD, advertised as +15 business days), Express ($37AUD, advertised as 3-6 business days, and Courier ($100AUD, advertised as 2-4 business days) all require signatures.
- Commercial Carriers: You may use a courier, if election officials in your state will accept completed ballots sent by private carrier and if your local election office does not use a PO Box address. Do not use a service that requires a signature on receipt.
- Costs range from approximately $33-A$77AUD, with a delivery time ranging from 2-4 business days, for a letter weighing approximately .06 kg (about 2 ounces). UPS, for example, has been quoted at A$58 (3-4 business days), and FedEx at A$77 (2-4 business days).
- If you are considering using a commercial carrier to send your ballot to a friend or relative for delivery or drop-off to your local election office, make sure you get advice from your local election office as to what is permitted first, as every state has different rules.