By Wendy Anders

The U.S. Embassy encourages U.S. citizens in Costa Rica to take the necessary steps to vote in the 2016 U.S. elections by participating in Absentee Voting Week next week.

Many recent U.S. elections have been decided by a margin of victory of less than 0.1 percent.  All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline (differs by state).

In many states, the voter registration deadline for the November 2016 elections is October 10, said the Embassy in a statement. For some voters this might mean their paper voter registration and absentee ballot request must reach their local election officials by October 10.

In order to vote in the November 2016 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2016.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each year to ensure you are able to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.

If you have already completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2016 and requested electronic delivery of your ballot, you will be receiving your blank ballot or instructions for how to access your ballot soon if you have not already received it.

If you are not sure about the status of your absentee ballot request you should contact your local election officials in the United States or check the status of your registration via your state’s voter registration verification website.

Please help spread the word to your friends, family, and colleagues that now is the time to start thinking about overseas voting.  Consider posting to your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or other social media account that you are an active voter and will be dropping off or mailing your Federal Post Card Application or completed ballot.

Following are the steps you need to take to vote from abroad in the 2016 Presidential Elections:

1.     Complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee in past elections, complete an FPCA to receive your ballot this fall. The online voting assistant available at FVAP.gov is an easy way to complete the FPCA. It will ask you questions specific to your state and tell you if electronic ballot delivery is possible. No matter which state you vote in, ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state).  Be sure to include your email address to take advantage of electronic delivery.  The online voting assistant will generate a printable FPCA, which you can then print and sign.

2.     Submit the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

You can drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, during the following hours:  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Costa Rican and U.S. holidays.  A drop box is located for quick drop off in the guard booth at the main pedestrian entrance to the U.S. Embassy.  Please bring your valid passport if you would like to speak with a voting assistance officer in American Citizens Services.  Normal transit time from Costa Rica to the United States is 10 to 15 days.

Please remember to complete all information, including your voting residence address in the United States and the address of your elections office in your state or we will not be able to send your request!

If it’s more convenient for you, you can have a friend or family member drop off your FPCA at the embassy, on your behalf or you can send your FPCA or ballot directly to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense.

3.     Receive Your Ballot

After submitting your FPCA, most states allow you to confirm online your registration and ballot delivery selection.  States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election (on or around September 24) for federal office (President, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House of Representatives) to any overseas U.S. citizen who has completed an FPCA.

4.     Return Your Ballot

As with the FPCA, you can return your completed ballot to your local election officials free of charge via the nearest embassy or consulate or mail it directly at your own expense.

If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact San Jose’s Voting Assistance Officer at 2519-2590, or at [email protected].