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Will I be asked to notarize my ballot or signature?

  • No, ballot notarization is not a requirement in any state or territory.
     

  • In 2009, when the fundamental law, the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which specifies the process for overseas voting was amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE), it was mandated that states cannot require overseas voters and military voters to notarize their voting documents. 
     

  • The notarization process abroad is vastly more complex and expensive compared to the process in the U.S. The amendment removed a major burden that many voters faced. 
     

  • Simply stated: the law that governs voting for overseas citizens and military members stipulates that notarization requirements are not allowed. 
     

  • What you may encounter in a few states if you use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is a requirement to have"witnessed" by another U.S. citizen. That is a much simpler process, which does not require translation or legal fees. States that request witnesses on the FWAB are: 
     

    • Alabama (2 witnesses)

    • Alaska (1 witness)

    • Wisconsin (1 witness)

       

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U.S. Vote Foundation offers complete voter services to all voter types including voters abroad and uniformed services voters and their families.

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