US Absentee Voting

Here we go again...

I just want to encourage all US expats here to make sure to register and obtain your absentee ballot for the upcoming mid-terms. Give yourself enough time, because letters I mail to the States commonly take a week to get there (on two occasions it took 3 months, though luckily those were just Advent calendars for my kids rather than my ballot).

Wisconsin voters (and perhaps in some other states as well, but not all) must have a U.S. citizen sign a “Ballot Certification” as they see you secretly complete your ballot, and the person needs to provide his or her US address.

This year's story so far: I found an American who was willing to help and provide her address. However, she warned, it's an APO address. Because I do not want to take chances that my ballot is thrown out on a technicality, I wrote to my contact in my former Wisconsin town where I'm registered to vote, and she replied: “The witness does have to be a US Citizen, so I would have them use their last known address in the States (instead of the APO Address).”

Now, if anyone can explain to me why a former street address in the US is proof of citizenship while an APO address is not, I'll be happy to hear it. I happened to have a guest staying with me who _does_ have a US street address, but he is not a US citizen, so… Whatever.

I'll just keep my re-printed ballot and certification in my purse and stop the next American-speaking person I hear. I might even brave the horror of the Canstatter Wasen (I don't like crowds). Don't give them any reason to throw out your ballot – follow their instructions to the letter!