Politics & Government

How to Vote if You Can't Make It to the Polls

Here's how to file absentee ballots for ex-pats, military members, the sick, or those away for school or business.

The following non-partisan information was written and provided by Marjorie Berlinghof, Montgomery County Democratic Committee Area 6 Leader.

Overseas residents

Do you have friends and family who are U.S. citizens who reside temporarily or “permanently” outside the U.S.? If so, take note. They can vote in the 2012 election and voting by mail has been made quicker and easier.

Overseas voters can go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site.  There they will get the information they need about voting, particularly the Pennsylvania regulations, and the form they need. It is titled: Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request.

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This form is the same both to register and/or to request an absentee ballot. What is unique about overseas voting is foreign residents are allowed to receive their ballot online, via e-mail. Use of fax or regular postal services are also an option. Using e-mail facilitates the process.

Here are the steps:

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  1. Obtain a FPCA form by printing it off the Internet.
  2. Fill it out as instructed with all required data. Pennsylvania requires a state driver’s license number or the last four digits of the social security number, and does not require a witness to the signature or use of a notary public. Box 9 can be left blank.
  3. Put completed form in envelope and mail it promptly with proper postage to:

Montgomery County Board of Elections
PO Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404 – 0311

    4.   If you asked to receive a ballot via e-mail, it will be sent online. Print it, vote on it paying careful attention to instructions, put it in an envelope and mail it back to above address using proper postage. Overseas ballots are allowed an additional week to arrive back in Norristown, that is, until Nov. 9 this year.

Any questions or problems can be answered or solved by Helene Moio at 610-278-3275 or Hmoio@montcopa.org

Domestic absentee ballot use

Right now is the time to ask whether you or friends and family, especially 18-22 year-olds, will be voting in person in November. If the answer is no or maybe not, take steps as soon as possible to request an absentee ballot. 

That means if business, study or family obligations could take you away on Nov. 6, even if you’re only out of the community between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., or if health issues could prevent you from making it to the polls, you are eligible to request an absentee ballot. 

Go to voterservices.montcopa.org for information and forms. What has changed from previous elections is that you must include a Pennsylvania driver’s license number or the last four digits of your social security number. Download the form, fill it out, and mail it in. Ballots should start arriving at designated addresses in mid to late September, depending on when requests are received.  Ballots go out daily, as requests are made and processed, until the last week in October. Completed absentee ballots must by received back at Voter Services on or before Nov. 2. 

If you request a ballot, you don’t have to use it if your plans change. Or if you send it back in, but find you can vote in person, you should go to your poll, request that the absentee ballot be voided, and vote in person. Ask yourself if it’s better to take steps to be safe or to find yourself out-of-luck.

If you have any questions regarding your request, your ballot, or on voting in general, voter services can be reached at 610-272-3275. An address and e-mail are listed above.

Some people think absentee ballots aren’t counted. That’s wrong. They are counted every election. In fact, each ballot is examined twice to assure an accurate tally. Last November a handful of votes determined many elections. Make sure your voice is heard either by voting in person or by mail.


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