Posts Tagged ‘Election’

September 24, 2012: Election 2012: Vote!

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

I’d like to take a moment to talk to my fellow Americans in Canada.

Election Day is November 6, 2012.  If there’s anything we Americans have learned in over two centuries of running elections, it’s that every single vote counts.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Ottawa, Illinois or Ottawa, Ontario. Your vote matters.

Voting requirements and procedures can vary from state to state, and it can sometimes be confusing figuring out where you’re registered, how to register, and how to obtain absentee ballots.  I hesitate to rely on the old joke “we’re from the government and we’re here to help you,” but in this case, both parts of that are true.  Consular staff in Ottawa and our Consulates across Canada stand ready to help you figure out what you need to do in order to vote.  We can refer you to the procedures for registering to vote and information on how to get your absentee ballot for all fifty states.  We have Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and Federal absentee ballots if it’s too late for you to receive a ballot from your U.S. home.  We can even help you mail them to your home precinct.

Contact us at VoteOTTAWA@state.gov or your closest U.S. consulate.  There’s also great information and help at the federal voting assistance program at http://fvap.gov.

President Franklin Roosevelt reminded us “Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”

Make your voice heard.  Vote.

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Posted in October 2012 |

January 4, 2012: Ottawa

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Yesterday the citizens of Iowa (my wife’s home state) kicked off a series of primaries and caucuses that culminate with the general election on November 6.  Voting is one of our most important rights.  Every American citizen retains that right even if they are not in the United States on election day.  And one of our most important responsibilities at the U.S. Mission in Canada is to assist U.S. citizens to exercise that right to vote in U.S. elections.  If you’re not sure where to start, we are here to help you with the process. 

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot in the 2012 elections, now is the time to get started.  Although voting through absentee ballots may not be new to many Americans living in Canada, I want to make sure you know that for 2012 there has been a change to the process.  Starting this year, all overseas voters who want to cast an absentee ballot are required to submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each year. This includes citizens registering to vote for the first time as well as those who have submitted absentee ballots in the past.  

Technology is making the voting process easier for Americans overseas.  Through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) http://www.fvap.gov, you can ask your local election officials to provide blank ballots to you electronically and you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online.  If you’ve never registered to vote or you aren’t sure in which state you should register, FVAP can also help with that.  And if you can’t find your answer there, we will help you, just contact the Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate for information and assistance.   http://canada.usembassy.gov/consulates.html 

Please take a moment to download and fill out an FPCA at https://www.fvap.gov/r3/privacyactnotice.  Some states allow you to submit the FPCA online; otherwise you can mail the FPCA yourself or drop by the Embassy or nearest Consulate to give your form to a consular officer who will forward the FPCA in the pre-paid envelope to the appropriate office.  http://canada.usembassy.gov/consulates.html 

As the President has observed, every Election Day underscores the strength and resilience of American democracy.  Regardless of the outcome, power in the United States rests with the people.  That is at the core of our system of representative and accountable government.  

I will be voting in the Illinois primary and in the General Election.  Our consular staff in the Embassy and Consulates General across Canada will do everything we can to ensure American citizens in Canada have the information they need to cast their votes. 

Please join me in this civic responsibility. 

DJ

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Posted in January 2012 |