Eight common myths about absentee voting

Photo By Sgt. Douglas Simons | I voted absentee  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.09.2016

Story by Cpl. Douglas Simons 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

There are many myths about absentee voting that confuse U.S. citizens worldwide. After speaking with Scott Wiedmann, director of Communication and Outreach Federal Voting Assistance Program, we’ve been able to identify the myths from the facts.

Myth: Deployed service members cannot vote.

Fact: If you are registered to vote while deployed and you do not get your state ballot in time to vote, you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot found at FVAP.gov. To do this, you must submit the form at least 30 days before the scheduled election.


Myth: Absentee ballots only count in close elections.

Fact: Absentee ballots submitted in accordance with state laws are counted for every election. The difference is that in a close election, the media reports that the outcome cannot be announced until after the absentee ballots are counted.


Myth: U.S. citizens who were born overseas and have never lived in the U.S. pay taxes, but cannot exercise their right to vote.

Fact: A growing number of states now allow U.S. citizens who have never resided in the U.S. to vote using the address where a parent or other relative is eligible to vote.


Myth: Service members can vote in person at a local embassy or on a military installation.

Fact: U.S. elections are run at the state level and citizens must communicate directly with their election official to register, request a ballot and to vote.


Myth: Voting will affect the tax status of overseas citizens.

Fact: Voting for federal office candidates will not affect your federal or state tax liability. Depending on the laws of your state, voting for a state or local offices may affect your state income tax liability.


Myth: All states have the same election rules and deadlines for military and overseas voters.

Fact: States have different rules in regard to how and when the forms are returned.


Myth: Absentee ballots are not secret.

Fact: State absentee ballots and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots are designed with a “secrecy envelope” allowing for the separation of the voter’s identity from the cast ballot.


Myth: Military spouses and dependents cannot use military absentee voting forms.

Fact: Military family members who will be 18 years old by election day should use the same Federal Post Card Application and Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot that service members and overseas citizens do, even when voting absentee in the U.S.

• Date Taken: 05.09.2016
• Date Posted: 05.09.2016 01:24
• Story ID: 197634
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP