Warden Messages
Warden Message
American Embassy Tbilisi
September 10, 2004
To All U.S. Citizens in the Republic of Georgia:
The U.S. General Election is November 2nd -- only 53 days away!!!
As a general rule, U.S. citizens should register to vote and request absentee voting ballots from the election officials in the U.S. where they last resided immediately before moving abroad. This right extends to U.S. citizens overseas even though they may not have property or other ties in their last state or territory of residence and their intent to return to that state or territory may be uncertain.
The main information resource for U.S. citizens voting abroad is the
Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website, located at http://www.fvap.gov
At the FVAP website you can download a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) as well as state-specific voting requirements and instructions. In addition, you may visit the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi to pick up FPCAs for yourself and your voting age dependents. (Voters turning 18 on or before November 2nd can register while still 17.) Submitting a completed Federal Post Card Application allows you to register to vote overseas and to request absentee ballots for all elections during the calendar year. As deadlines vary from state to state and local jurisdictions, it is important to fill out and mail your applications in as soon as possible. Some states require that the FPCA be notarized, and we can do that in the Consular Section any Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for no extra charge.
States normally send out absentee ballots 30 to 60 days before the election. You should receive a ballot from your county clerk in time to vote and mail it back to assure its arrival by your state's ballot receipt deadline. If you do not receive the ballot in time, there is an alternative: the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, known as the FWAB. This form is available from the Voting Assistance Officer at the Embassy, but it is not available on line. To be eligible to use this emergency ballot, you must have sent in your FPCA early enough so that it reaches local election officials at least 30 days before the election.
We will gladly mail both the Federal Post Card Application and the absentee ballots for you from the Embassy. It is your responsibility to get these items to us well in advance so that they will reach their destination on time. Absentee ballots and Federal Post Card Applications will be sent by the U.S. Embassy to the U.S. every Friday.
Remember that there is a wealth of information to be found at http://www.fvap.gov. Also, you may direct questions to the Embassy Voting Assistance Officer in Tbilisi by calling 98-99-67, extension 4443, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by email at consulate-tbilisi@state.gov
Sincerely,
Kim Richter
Consular Chief
American Consulate General Tbilisi
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at 25 Atoneli Street, Tbilisi 380026. We can be reached by telephone number: 995-32 98 99 67 ext. 4500, fax number: 995-32 92 29 53, or e-mail: consulate-tbilisi@state.gov. Additional information can be found at the embassy’s website: http://georgia.usembassy.gov. Hours for American Citizens Services are Monday through Friday, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. excepting American and Georgian holidays.
For the latest Security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside of the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).