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, …
Read More» 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 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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State political parties choose “electors” who convene after Election Day to then choose a president. Voters see the names of the candidates on the ballot, but their votes actually choose the electors who are pledged to those candidates.
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If you have already completed your Federal Post Card Application and registered to vote in the November 2020 elections be on the look out for your 2020 general election absentee ballot.
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Do you have questions about how you can vote in the U.S. election from the United Kingdom? If so, please join us for a Facebook Live Q&A, hosted by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), on August 27, 2020 at 2 p.m..
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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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They may not have the flash and cash — that is, campaign donations — of Republicans and Democrats, but every four years, independents and candidates from other parties run for president. While less noticed, they are still an important part of the American political system.
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Despite the new coronavirus, the United States will hold its national election this year.
Read More» While each major U.S. political party has many states it counts on winning in November’s presidential election, a handful of states are too close to call.
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The U.S. presidential race enters a new phase on March 3. It’s like the difference between sipping tea and drinking from a fire hydrant.
Read More» The U.S. Federal government contains more than the White House and Congress.
Read More» Today the Iowa caucuses mark the start of the 2020 election cycle in the United States. If you’re not sure what that means in U.S. politics, here’s Professor Brox from Tulane University to explain.
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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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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 …
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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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That is sometimes the case, but to be safe you may wish contact your local election authority to confirm their policy. Please visit www.FVAP.gov for further information.
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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.
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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, …
Read More» 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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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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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 …
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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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