Democracy Begins at Home and Abroad: Voter Registration Tools for U.S. Students Studying Abroad

ADP 2007 - Panel Presentation: Democracy Begins at Home and Abroad Democracy Begins at Home and Abroad:Voter Registration Tools for U.S. Students Studying Abroad Overseas Vote Foundation Marina Mecl - Director, Voter Outreach ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Can I vote while I’m abroad? ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

At 11:20 PM 2/18/2007, you wrote:i am a us citizen and have recently moved overseas and am no longer an official resident of any state. am i still eligible to vote? - gaby ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

2005 205,983 Americans students studied abroad in 2005 56% chose affordable summer programs 38% studied abroad for one semester 6% studied abroad a full academic year ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

2008 If numbers increase at the same rate per year, more than 100,000 students may well be studying abroad on an official program for a semester or a year in 2008. ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Key Question Why do voters often find it confusing or difficult to register to vote and request an absentee ballot from abroad? ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Registration form issues • The overseas voter registration form (FPCA) - same for all states and territories • Information requirements vary from state to state • Some states offer ‘alternative’ methods of registering to vote from overseas ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Form facts • Awareness of the form and how to obtain it is limited • Consulates and Embassies have limited hours and accessibility • The same form functions as a ‘change of address’ form ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Outreach in 2006 ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Volunteers ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Press and Publicity ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

University Study Abroad Programs ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

The Blazer Abroad Blog Entry Sep 1, 2006 Featured Site: San Mateo County,CaliforniaHOME pagehttp://www.shapethefuture.org/default.asp ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Consulates and Embassies ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Featured Site: US Department of Statehttp://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/1875.htm ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Preparing for 2008 ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Strategies • Sustain and expand our presence in the English media abroad – paper and online • Contact study abroad departments at universities and colleges • Contact foreign universities • Offer OVF Internships ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Tactics • Implement Google AdWords online advertising to target college and university study abroad students • Double our volunteer team • Contact campus newspapers and magazines at home and abroad • Create an Overseas Student Voter group in Facebook ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Additional tactics • Print card kits • Design and launch a post election survey specifically designed for students • Increase publicity in foreign print newspapers ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Collaboration Continue to collaborate with groups in the U.S. who are dedicated to stimulating and increasing student civic and electoral participation ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Please inform students studying abroad about voting in 2008 ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

How you can help • Contact your university study abroad office reminding them to inform students about voting before they leave • Link to www.overseasvotefoundation.org in handbooks, websites and newsletters • Ask your school’s study abroad department to contact their offices overseas • Contact OVF for outreach card kits and bulletin board notices ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Thank you OVF thanks the American Democracy Project for its ongoing support and the opportunity to share overseas voter information with ADP conference participants ADP 2007 – OVF Presentation

Democracy Begins at Home and Abroad: Voter Registration Tools for U.S. Students Studying Abroad