It's Not Too Late - Don't Neglect to Get Out And Vote!

Living abroad, I am constantly reminded of the privileges and the responsibilities of being an American. One of our most important privileges - and responsibilities - is voting. This year, more than any year for a very long time, the whole world is holding its collective breath to see what we'll do. Don't let the world, your country or yourself down by neglecting to vote. Stand in that line if you have to. Take an aspirin for that headache but get out there and cast your ballot.

If you're home in the USA and you are eligible to vote, there is no excuse not too. But if you are abroad, it is, unbelievably, not too late to vote or, in some states, even to register!

• It may not be too late for casting that absentee ballot that you forgot to mail. Some states will accept your vote well after Election Day as long as it has been postmarked by Nov. 4. In Washington State they will even count a ballot that arrives as late as Nov. 25. Check out the deadlines for absentee ballots in your state.
• If you registered to vote but your absentee ballot did not arrive, you can still download a Federal Write in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and send it off. Find out where to get an FWAB
• If you forgot to register for an absentee ballot and now you are having conscience pangs, don't worry. It may not be too late. In several states - Arizona, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina or Washington State - you can use your FWAB to both register and vote - and as long as your ballot is postmarked Nov. 4 and arrives by the state's voting deadline, it will be counted.

This year, voting is really important. Stand up and be counted. Don't neglect to vote.

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