With the November 2020 election approaching, voters are reminded of the importance of their participation. Many elections for the House and Senate have been decided by narrow margins, sometimes smaller than the number of absentee ballots cast. Every state is required to count all valid absentee ballots received by the deadline.
To vote in the upcoming election, citizens should follow a few steps:
1. **Request Your Ballot**: Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) after January 1, 2020, to ensure receipt of your ballot for federal elections including primaries and special elections within that year. The FPCA can be completed online at FVAP.gov where you can also request electronic delivery of your blank ballot.
2. **Receive and Complete Your Ballot**: States must send out ballots 45 days before regular federal elections and generally at least 30 days before primary elections. Voters can confirm registration and ballot delivery online in most states.
3. **Return Your Completed Ballot**: Depending on state regulations, some allow electronic returns while others require mailing paper forms or ballots through international mail or courier services. U.S. citizens in Serbia can drop off their FPCA forms or completed ballots at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade during working hours with proper identification.
The embassy offers assistance with mailing using diplomatic post office services if needed, but voters must provide sufficient postage for domestic shipping charges if not using a prepaid envelope provided by their state.
Voters are encouraged to research candidates and issues using resources available on FVAP's links page which provides non-partisan information about candidates' records and positions.
"Remember, your vote counts!"