Ballot Application Period Opening Soon for Military, Overseas Voting in Menlo Park Election

MENLO PARK, CA — The ballot application period will open shortly for all newly registered military and overseas voters planning to participate in the March 7, 2017 Menlo Park City Elementary School District Special Election. The application period will begin January 6 and will remain open through March 7.

Eligibility Criteria

San Mateo County voters who are eligible include:

• Members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty;
• A spouse or dependent of a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty;
• Members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
• U.S. citizens living abroad, who may register and apply for a ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application form (“FPCA”).

Ballot Application Procedure

The FPCA form is available at any US Embassy or at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, www.fvap.gov. You may also register as a military or overseas voter through the California Secretary of State’s websitewww.registertovote.ca.gov.

When you register, you may choose from three methods to receive your ballot:

• Email/online
• Fax
• Postal mail

Pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, San Mateo County will send your ballot between 60 and 45 days prior to Election Day.

“We respond promptly to all requests from military and overseas voters,” Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, explained. “Despite the natural challenges posed by overseas communication, our goal is to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in the upcoming election.”

Deadline

The deadline to register to vote in this election is February 21, 2017. Registered overseas voters may submit an overseas ballot application up to and including March 7, 2017 (if the voter chooses to receive the ballot via email or fax.)

For more information on the March 7, 2017 Special Election, please call 650.312.5222, visit www.shapethefuture.org or follow @smcvote on Twitter.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division / Image via Shutterstock