American citizens in SA urged to vote
U.S citizens living in South Africa are encouraged to cast their ballot for the U.S presidential election taking place in November.
The presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the United States of America is heating up. With the election on 2 November drawing closer, it is said to be one of the world’s most controversial American elections to date.
Country leader, Elizabeth O’Leary from Democrats Abroad South Africa (Dasa) said that with up to 30 000 Americans living in South Africa, ballots have the potential to really make a difference in 2020. “Americans have been dropping off ballots at the US Consulate in Sandton these past few weeks – the ballots will travel by diplomatic pouch to the US where they’ll enter the postal system.”
And while the time to drop off ballots at the consulate has come to an end, Americans are now encouraged to use alternative ways such as email, fax, courier and postal services.
According to O’Leary, every state is different and now about half of the states allow email or faxed ballots. The other half require postal/mail submission of ballots. “If the voter’s state requires postal submission, they should only use a courier at this point because it is too late for the Consulate or other mail options. But it is urgent for everyone to vote now!” said O’Leary.
Mary Brooks, Clara Priester and Mary Harris stand proud outside the U.S consulate after casting their vote. Photo: Supplied
With much assistance available for American citizens, Dasa also wants voters to make use of the resources available to act promptly:
- Request your absentee ballot immediately if you haven’t already. Americans overseas need to submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), requesting their absentee ballot every election year. You can still do this via this link.
- Look up your state’s voting procedures and timeframes. Make a voting plan follow this link.
- Americans who have never lived in the US, try this link.
- If you’ve requested your absentee ballot but haven’t received it, first check in your spam box, if it’s not there, follow up with your local election official immediately. Follow this link.
- If you’ve received your ballot but haven’t submitted it, do it now. Follow the instructions carefully.
- If you do not receive your state ballot in time to return it safely, use the emergency back-up ballot, the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Go to this link.
For more information email: southafrica@democratsabroad.org.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/91233/sandton-residents-tell-voting-experiences
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/161953/an-american-in-jozi-part-3
