Attention all Americans: Some state primaries might already be over, but for some of you it’s not too late to partake in the beautiful thing we call democracy. If you are already registered to vote, you may conveniently request an absentee ballot online on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, thanks to the Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment (MOVE) Act.
Be sure to check your state-specific deadline for absentee ballot requests. Absentee ballots for state and local elections can be requested directly from your state or local authorities.
Do your research and educate yourself on the issues closest to your heart. For those out of the loop, we recommend checking out ISideWith for a basic rundown of how potential candidates beliefs coincide with your own. Then it’s up to you to cast away, either by mailing/faxing/emailing your ballot in or submitting a ballot to your nearest US Consulate (addresses below).
Think these elections might not affect you all the way in China? Think again. Certain potential candidates have been quite vocal about China. You can even find out if you know more than they do about the Middle Kingdom.
Happy Voting!
US Embassy/Consulate General Locations in China
According to the US Department of State, you can drop off your ballot request form or completed ballot at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to be mailed to the US. Your forms must be addressed to your local election officials and have appropriate postage (a postage-paid envelope template is available on the FVAP website). Contact a voting assistance officer or visit your local embassy's website for more detailed instructions.
US Embassy of Beijing
Main Embassy Building: No. 55 Anjialou Lu, Chaoyang District
Ritan Branch: No. 2 Xiushui Dongjie, Chaoyang District
http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/index.html
US Consulate General in Shanghai
Westgate Mall, 8/F, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Jiangning Lu (see listing here)
http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/index.html
US Consulate General in Guangzhou
43 Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District
http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/index.html
US Consulate General in Chengdu
4 Lingshiguan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041
http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/
US Consulate General in Shenyang
52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003
http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/index.html
US Consulate General in Hong Kong
26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/index.html
Voting in the DA Global Democratic Primary
US citizens abroad can vote in the Democrats Abroad (DA) Global Democratic Primary. If you are eligible to vote and have not submitted a ballot in your state party presidential primary, your primary vote with DA can count towards sending delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
To vote in the DA Global Presidential Primary, visit the Democrats Abroad website, and either verify your membership or join. Then follow directions to vote by email, fax, or mail, anytime before March 8. (Note that you must be a member of DA to vote. Membership is free and open to all eligible US voters living abroad. Ballots submitted by non-DA members will not be counted).
In addition to this, DA will be holding Walk-in Presidential Primary Registration and Voting in Beijing and Shanghai this weekend. You must bring an ID (i.e. passport or state-issued driver's license) to participate.
Beijing
Where: The Bookworm
When: Saturday, March 5 - Sunday, March 6, Noon to 6pm (walk-in registration and voting), 7 to 9pm (Democratic Happy Hour — Sunday only)
See event listing here.
Shanghai
Where: The Camel Bar (Puxi)
When: Saturday, March 5 - Sunday, March 6, Noon to 6pm (walk-in registration and voting), 6 to 8pm (Democratic Happy Hour — Sunday only)
See event listing here.
For more information about both events, contact Ada at USVoteChina@gmail.com.
Please note that voting in the DA Global Presidential Primary does not count as registering/requesting an absentee ballot for the general election in November. To do that, you'll need to check that you are registered with your state back home and fill out a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (which can be obtained from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website).
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