Message for U.S. Citizens: July Voting Message

Celebrate democracy this 4th of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2022 U.S. elections! In order to vote in the November 2022 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a  Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)  in 2022.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, …

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The Electoral College

The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress. Each state elects the number of representatives to the Electoral College that is equal to its number of Senators—two from each state—plus its number of delegates in the House of …

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The 2020 U.S. Election is just a few days away!

The 2020 U.S. Election is just days away!  Election day is November 3, 2020! Remember, U.S. embassies and consulates are NOT polling places. This means that you should not come to the Embassy in London or the Consulates in Belfast or Edinburgh on November 3 to cast your vote. Click here to visit our website  for information about using international airmail, the Federal …

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The Voting Rights Act at 55

When the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965, a new era began in the United States. With a stroke of his pen, Johnson struck down discriminatory voting practices that had been adopted — primarily in Southern states — to disenfranchise African Americans.

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Voting in the 2018 U.S. House and Senate Elections

Your Vote Counts! Did you know that many U.S. elections for House and Senate seats have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by absentee voters? All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot …

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What Happens After Elections?

After losing the 1960 U.S. presidential election by the thinnest of margins, Vice President Richard Nixon declined to challenge the results. Instead, he performed his constitutional duty as president of the Senate in reporting to that body the election of his opponent, Senator John F. Kennedy. “This is the first time in 100 years that …

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Presidential Nominations

System for choosing party candidates has evolved over U.S. history Rules within parties for nominating presidential candidates are not spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. As noted, there were no political parties in existence at the time the Constitution was drafted and ratified in the late 1700s, and the founders of the Republic had no …

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The Role of Political Parties

When the Founders of the American Republic drafted and ratified the U.S. Constitution, they did not envision a role for political parties. Indeed, they sought through various constitutional arrangements — such as separation of powers among the executive, legislatifffve and judicial branches; federalism; and indirect election of the president by an Electoral College (see below) …

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How do I submit my registration, ballot request, and absentee ballot?

All states will accept these documents by mail; Royal Mail offers convenient, affordable mailing options to the United States with 5-7 day delivery times.  You may also drop off any of these items at the U.S. Embassy in London in a completed, postage-paid envelope (available under “Downloadable Election Materials” on the FVAP homepage). Some states …

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When should I request and submit my absentee ballot?

Each state has its own deadlines for registering to vote, requesting absentee ballots, and sending completed absentee ballots, both for the primary and general election. Using the FVAP state-by-state guidance, you can find your state’s deadlines and the necessary forms for registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot.

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2012 U.S. Elections and “Super PACs”

Like it or not, Americans who seek election to the U.S. presidency or Congress need money — lots of money — to fund months of campaigning, advertisements and other ways to make themselves and their views more visible to voters, as well as to attack their opponents. Recent legal rulings have opened new avenues for …

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Financing Campaigns

Federal law dictates how candidates for the federal offices of president, senator and representative — and certain of their political allies — may raise funds, as well as from whom and in what amounts. Federal campaign finance laws are separate from state laws that regulate elections for state and local offices. In the American system, …

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Glossary of U.S. Election Terms

Absentee voting Absentee voting allows voters who cannot come to polling places to cast their ballots. A variety of circumstances, including residency abroad, illness, travel or military service, can prevent voters from coming to the polls on Election Day. Absentee ballots permit registered voters to mail in their votes. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee …

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Federal Election Commission Regulates Presidential Campaigns

Candidates for president of the United States come from all walks of life. Many are career politicians; others are political activists, wealthy businessmen, or even professional entertainers. Regardless of their backgrounds or incomes, all must appear on each state’s separate ballot and all must abide by rules enforced by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). After registering with each …

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FAQs on Political Conventions

Why are national political conventions held? The processes of the political national conventions have evolved over more than a century, but the purpose has remained the same: to nominate presidential candidates and lay out goals and party priorities. The first political convention was held in 1831 when the Anti-Mason party met in a Baltimore saloon …

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U.S. Elections: Frequently Asked Questions

TYPES OF ELECTIONS What types of elections are held in the United States? There are two basic types of elections — primary and general. In addition to the primaries and general elections held in even-numbered years, which include political races for the U.S. Congress, some states and local jurisdictions also hold “off-year” elections (both primary …

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Campaign Finance Reform and the 2004 Election (McCain-Feingold)

An Interview with election law expert Jan Baran On December 10, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case called McConnell v. Federal Election Committee (2002), upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), in which the U.S. Congress banned unlimited contributions — known as “soft money” — to political campaigns. The act is …

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