Hello, Kossacks. I am sure this has been discussed here ad nauseum, but I wanted to make sure the option is at the forefront of those voting from abroad right now. We need to save money where we can so that it can be put to good use for other things in life, including the campaigns (and one another, as has been so aptly demonstrated of late).
I was able to send an emailed US absentee ballot from where I am in Canada to Wisconsin for $18. [Edit: costs range from $0-$23.50, depending on the country] Unfortunately, the counterperson was not familiar with the program when I went into a FedEx site, and 1 of 2 customer service representatives on the toll-free FedEx line were not familiar with it, either. You will have to educate yourself and come prepared.
The Overseas Vote Foundation has an Express Your Vote program with FedEx (see https://www.overseasvotefoundation.o... ) that offers reduced rates from many countries around the world. It is a simple procedure. The directions are below the fold.
Directions:
- Go to the OVF EYR website linked above
- Check to see if the program is available to your country
- Enter in your data (IIRC, it added in the correct address for my precinct back home for me, but of course, always check this)
- Pay online
- Print out several copies of the waybill (with UPC code that signifies you've already paid) and use as directed by
a. stapling one copy to the package internal to the FedEx envelope
b. tucking 2 copies of the waybill into the FedEx envelope plastic cover
c. keeping a copy for yourself
Once sealed properly, the package can be dropped off at any FedEx pickup location, including the standing box sites without a counterperson. That's about it. I'll keep an eye on the diary comments to see if anyone has any comments, suggestions, or corrections.