Voting November 4 is your chance to make a difference

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  REMINDERS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION

Late Counting: The following states allow extended counting of absentee ballots for the November 4, 2008 general election: Alaska, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. All require the ballot to be voted and mailed no later than the day of the election. See the October issue of this newsletter, or visit www.fvap.gov > for State-by-State specific requirements.

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) should be used if the requested state absentee ballot has not arrived in time to allow the voter to return it by the state deadline for counting. If the voter has yet to receive his or her state absentee ballot have them fill out and mail in the FWAB now. However, FVAP recommends that citizens always vote and return their regular state absentee ballot, regardless of when they receive it up to and including Election Day. See the October issue of this newsletter or the FVAP website for State-by-State Ballot Return Deadlines.

Postmark: When mailing your voted ballot, please ask the mail clerk to hand stamp the ballot envelope so that a date is clearly visible. The dated postmark will help ensure that the Local Election Official can make a proper determination of timely mailing. Generally, if a state allows late counting of ballots, the ballot envelope must have been mailed on or before Election Day

Affidavit, Notary or Witness: The following states require an affidavit, notary or witness on the ballot return envelope for both the state issued ballot and the FWAB: Alabama, Alaska, Guam Louisiana, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin. 

Refer to the State-by-State Instructions to determine if your state requires the voted ballot to be postmarked.

The 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide is also here: www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/>