US Embassy: Message for U.S. Citizens Voting Reminder
Dear American Citizens in Moldova,
Greetings from the U.S. Embassy! Election Day is drawing closer upon us, so please make sure that you leave enough time for: 1) registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot, and 2) sending in your absentee ballot!
New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 elections. You may no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request. All U.S. citizens outside the United States who want to vote by absentee ballot in U.S. elections should complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every year. States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election. No matter what State you vote in, you can now ask your local election officials to provide your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your State). You can now also confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. Be sure to include your email address on the form to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option. This is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your ballot on time, and we strongly recommend every voter take advantage of it. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program\'s (FVAP) website at www.FVAP.gov.
Step 1: Register to Vote and Request an Absentee Ballot: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) allows you to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. If you haven’t yet done so, we urge you to do so now. The easiest way to complete it is online at www.FVAP.gov. Depending on your State’s rules, you then send it to your local election officials electronically or by mail.
If you choose to send the FPCA by mail, print out the completed FPCA and the (U.S.) postage-paid envelope containing the address of your local election officials. You can drop off the postage-paid envelope (containing your FPCA) at the U.S. Embassy, 103 Mateevici Street in Chisinau, and we will mail it to the United States on your behalf.
The U.S. Embassy also has blank copies of the FPCA. You may also come to the Consular Section during American Citizen Services hours and fill out the FPCA by hand. The form takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The Embassy will then mail off your FPCA to your State election official. Be sure to complete your FPCA well in advance of the registration deadline. Please allow 3-4 weeks for mail shipped from the U.S. Embassy to arrive at the intended destination.
Step 2: Send In Your Absentee Ballot: When you get your ballot, vote and mail it promptly so it reaches local election officials by your State’s absentee ballot receipt deadline. Again, the U.S. Embassy is happy to mail your absentee ballot to the United States.
If you have requested an absentee ballot from your State but have not received it, you can also vote by using the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). You may submit the FWAB at any time after you submit your FPCA. Hard copies of the FWAB are available in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. Given mailing times using official diplomatic pouch, we recommend you bring your ballot no later than one month before Election Day.
If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the Consular Section staff at Chisinau-CA@state.gov.
Other Important Information:
American Citizen Services Hours (except holidays):
- Mondays & Wednesdays: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
- Fridays: 9:00am – 11:00am
The U.S. Embassy is closed on Moldovan and U.S. holidays.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website, the U.S. Department of State\'s Bureau of Consular Affairs website , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A safe trip abroad", which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
Embassy of the United States of America
103 Mateevici St., Chisinau, Moldova
http://moldova.usembassy.gov
Chisinau-CA@state.gov
http://www.facebook.com/U.S.EmbassyMoldova
Telephone: (373-22) 408-300
For after-hours emergencies, please call (373-22) 237-345/408-445
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