U.S. military personnel and other Americans living abroad need to be aware of some unique steps to take to ensure their absentee ballot gets counted in the California primary election June 2.
This is especially true for those who want to vote by mail. These voters can also submit their ballots by fax.
Some of the individuals included in this voting category include service members, NOAA Commissioned Corps, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, spouses and dependents of these individuals and other eligible citizens living outside the U.S.
Here’s what San Diego-based voters need to know about voting absentee. For more information, go to sdvote.com/content/rov/en/military-and-overseas-voting.html.
Register or update your voting status
Eligible California residents, including military, can register to vote online at any time, but should do so sooner, rather than later, especially if they are at sea, so they can get their election materials as soon as possible.
These voters can use registertovote.ca.gov (applicants will immediately be asked to designate their voter classification). Even if you were registered before going abroad, you must update the state about your plan to vote absentee.
Those who prefer to register offline can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) found online at fvap.gov. The form must be returned to the San Diego Registrar of Voters via mail at P.O. Box 85520, San Diego, CA 92186-5520 USA or via fax at 858-505-7294.
Voters who were already registered in California before leaving the U.S. can send their FPCA by email to votebymail@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Californians can double check their registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Where you can vote
Overseas voters can vote in elections in the precinct where they last held residence inside the territorial U.S. Citizens born outside the U.S. can register based on the previous territorial residence of their parent or legal guardian.
How to vote
During the registration process, voters can choose to receive their election materials by mail, fax or email. Voters who requested to receive their ballot via email will begin doing so on April 17, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters’ office. Ballots will be mailed beginning April 18.
California state law does not allow for voted ballots to be sent via email. The return options are fax or mail.
By fax: They can return their ballot via fax at 858-467-9670 or by mail to P.O. Box 85902 San Diego CA 92186-5902. (Note this address is different than the registration address.) Faxed ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Faxed ballots must include an Oath of Voter form, which waives confidentiality for the voter. The form will be sent with the ballot.
By mail: Just like for every other California voter, mailed ballots must be signed and postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the count elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day.
The following deadlines are recommended to military service members for mailing ballots in order for them to reach the Registrar of Voters in time:
On a ship at sea: April 28
Outside the U.S.: May 3
Stateside: May 22
Military voters and their family can contact their nearest post office location to use the U.S. Postal Service’s express 11-DOD label for free service. This service is also available at U.S. embassies and consulates.
What if I don’t get my ballot in time?
A backup plan is available. Registered voters can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. Select California and fill out the information here: fvap.gov/r3/fwab/state
Still have questions?
Members of the military may also have a Voting Assistance Officer who can provide support.
More resources can be found through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense: fvap.gov. The U.S. Department of State also offers information online: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/voting.html
They can also contact the San Diego County Registrar of Voters via phone at 858-565-5800 or 800-696-0136. The California Secretary of State Elections Division can be reached at 800-345-VOTE (8683).