What are the rules regarding overseas voting?

In Massachusetts, overseas voting is regulated by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). UOCAVA requires that all states provide an absentee balloting process specifically for uniformed service members and overseas citizens. The Massachusetts Election Laws also provide instructions on how to register to vote and how to obtain an absentee ballot. UOCAVA provides an exception to the normal absentee balloting process by allowing certain qualified Massachusetts citizens to vote by mail or electronically without having to vote in person. To be eligible, a Massachusetts citizen must be a uniformed service member, a citizen living overseas, or a Massachusetts voter temporarily living abroad. Additionally, these individuals must have been living in Massachusetts prior to leaving to be eligible to vote in elections held in their home state. To obtain an absentee ballot under UOCAVA, a Massachusetts voter must submit a federal postcard application or a special absentee ballot form. UOCAVA also requires that Massachusetts election officials mail absentee ballots out no later than 45 days prior to the election. Finally, ballots must be postmarked by the Tuesday of the election or received in the office of the appropriate Massachusetts election official no later than the Monday after the election in order to be counted in the election. The same deadline applies for electronic voting as well.

Related FAQs

What is gerrymandering?
What is a statewide voter registration database?
What is the purpose of a runoff election?
How do I register to vote?
What is the “voter roll purge”?
What is the role of the Electoral College?
What is the difference between a closed and open primary election?
What is the role of the media in the election process?
Who is responsible for conducting elections in the United States?
What is the role of political consultants in the election process?

What are the rules regarding overseas voting?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts