Recent Change to the Federal Post Card Application and Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

American Citizens Abroad (ACA) is advising its members and supporters of a recent change to the Federal Post Card Application and Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. The forms have been revised to remove the option to declare that you are a U.S. citizen who has never resided in the United States. This change however does not affect your right to vote. 

U.S. citizens who have never lived in the United States may still vote if they claim parental voting rights from the state where their parent(s) last resided. Of the 50 states 36 allow for this. 

ACA encourages all U.S. citizens overseas to vote. Information on the recent change and an FAQ can be found here, provided by the Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF).

This change was made less than 90 days prior to the election and as an emergency justification by the Department of War which bypassed the Federal Register public comment process. ACA is requesting that the Federal Register comment process be reopened so that organizations can provide their input on this change.