Banu_Hashim

Hi all,

This may be a silly question, but I'll ask anyway. I'm an American citizen and I live in the UK. I've never lived in the US or any of it's territories. I am above the age of 18. How do I go about voting in this year's election? Is it possible even if I have never lived in a US state? Don't I have to register myself with US address?

WEBlue

Try this:
http://www.fvap.gov/

I dunno, it may be too late, but try.

(At the very least, you need to get set up for the next federal election, even though you may likely have to register again. The voting rules have changed for US expats, IIRC, and now you have to re-register each time.)

Banu_Hashim

^Thanks!

But, the first option is 'select your state'. I have no state lol. I'm just wondering if I can put a relative's address down instead?

WEBlue

Yes, this may actually become neccessary. Do you have a relative who will co-operate & send you an absentee ballot in a timely way?

Have you looked at the Frequently Asked Questions page?
http://www.fvap.gov/faq.html
Then scroll down to the question: "If I do not maintain a legal residence in the U.S., what is my 'legal State of residence'?" It seems to have a list of states that will accept registrations from those who've NEVER resided in the USA or territories.

Bob

To late for this election, had to register by the beginning of the month for most states.

Anyway, just a after thought, as you've not lived in the US, presuming you're a bloke, have you signed up with selective service and been filing your taxes to the IRS? Seems to get a lot of people unaware.

WEBlue

There are some exceptions, but most state voter registration deadlines have indeed passed. See the list of states halfway down the page for the individual deadlines:
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting/Register.shtml

ian-mstm

Did you just suddenly find out there was an election? This is something you should have done months ago. Too late now!

Ian

Banu_Hashim

lol, no I've just been putting it off for all this time. But I've emailed an election specialist in the Mass state dpt. And she said if I fill everything out (the address being the last address of my US parent) then I can scan the form and email it and they'll send me my ballot by email. Deadlines November 5th for absentee voters apparently!

Thanks for the help guys.

Banu_Hashim

I became aware of this just a few months ago actually! But thanks for the reminder. I'm 22, so there is still time to sign up with selective service, and I'm looking into filing taxes now (even though I havent earned any salary so far- still in uni).

ian-mstm

You aren't required to file a tax return if your income is below the IRS filing threshhold. Details at www.irs.gov.

Ian

WEBlue

Hey, nice work! Good to hear the deadline for absentee voting in MA is that late!

Bob

But it certainly is handy to get in the habit, especially if one plans on coming back to the US in the future. Plus the IRS office in the London Embassy is very helpful, so better to sort out the basics before you starting building up any assets and then have to worry about FBAR and FATCA