Requesting an absentee ballot can feel daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. The Chronicle compiled a guide to voting abroad for students studying away during the fall 2024 semester.
If you’re registered in North Carolina
There are a slew of contentious races on the N.C. ballot this fall. In addition to the presidential election, there is a closely-watched gubernatorial race in the state and several other positions up for grabs, including lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The good news is that N.C. allows you to complete the entire process online. You can even mail back your completed ballot via email, saving you the hassle of locating a post office in a foreign country.
FVAP.gov is your one-stop shop for requesting an absentee ballot. Click on N.C. on the map and select your jurisdiction — it’s Durham if you’re registered with an on-campus address.
When prompted for your absentee ballot classification, select the option that reads, “I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I intend to return.”
Next, fill in your personal information, and make sure to include your phone number and email address so an election official can follow up if more information is required.
If you registered to vote with an on-campus address, check your voter registration record to verify which address is listed and should be filled in the voting residence box — some students use their dorm address, while others use the general address for either East or West Campus.
The Durham Board of Elections recently updated the voter address points for East and West Campus. Students living on East Campus can now use 1400 West Main Street, Durham, N.C. 27705, while those on West Campus can use 440 Chapel Drive, Durham, N.C. 27708. These addresses were automatically updated in the voter registration database by the BOE, so no action is required of students who registered in previous years. Going forward, new registrants can use one of these addresses or their dorm-specific address going forward.
You’ll then be asked to enter a current mailing address, even if you intend to request and submit your ballot via email. You should enter the address of your study abroad housing.
If you haven’t received housing information or are unclear about your mailing address, you can reach out to your study abroad program. Some programs have designated locations where you can request an absentee ballot.
Next, indicate how you would like to receive your blank ballot. You may select the email/online option, but you can also receive your ballot via mail or fax.
Then enter your contact information. If you want to receive your ballot by email, make sure your email address is listed. When asked about the period for which you want to receive ballots, you can select “all elections for which I am eligible.”
After reviewing your information, you should print, sign and scan your Federal Post Card Application.
Email the scanned document to absentee@dconc.gov. If you don’t hear back with your registration status by the first week of September, you can follow up with an election official.
Overseas students must have their registration and request for a mail-in ballot received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. Mail-in ballots must be received by Nov. 14 and email ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.
To avoid complications, students can request their absentee ballot as soon as possible and at least 45 days before Election Day.
Voting in another state
Registered to vote in your home state? FVAP.gov can help guide you through the process of requesting an absentee ballot.
Make sure to read up on your state’s absentee voting rules. Some states allow you to complete the entire process online, while others may require you to mail a physical ballot. Some states also require your ballot to be received by Election Day, but others only require it to be postmarked by Election Day.
Things to keep in mind
If you’re mailing a physical ballot, many states offer pre-paid postage. You can only use this postage if you drop off your ballot at a U.S. postal system location or an American embassy. If you use a foreign mail service, you must use your own envelope and pay for postage as you would any other piece of mail.
Most states offer ballot tracking services. As Election Day nears, you can check the status of your mail-in ballot online.
You should expect to receive your absentee ballot 45 days before Election Day. If you don’t receive an absentee ballot in enough time to meet your state’s deadlines, you can submit a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
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Mia Penner is a Trinity junior and an audience engagement editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.