Puerto Vallara, Mexico - "Be an Absentee Voter, Not an Absentee Citizen - VOTE!" This slogan, from a US Navy veteran, has particular significance to the large community of American ex-pats and dual US/Mexican citizens who live throughout Mexico.

In past years voting from abroad was a complicated, time-consuming process and there were always doubts over whether the votes were counted. Today is totally different thanks to the Internet and the effort by the US government and other groups to assist voters who live outside the US. After all, there are over six million of us.

Although the process is much easier, it is still involves a few steps and the deadlines are crucial. Here is a simple outline of both the process and the timing.

You can vote from Mexico if you are:

1. A citizen of the US,

2. At least 18 years old, and

3. Living outside the US - no matter the time you have been abroad, or when you last voted - go to VoteFromAbroad.org and follow the instructions - English & Espanol.

4. If your primary residence is in the US, but you spend time in Mexico, and will be here on Election Day, you can also vote as an absentee under the normal rules that apply in your USA County. Contact that election office to register for your absentee ballot.

So, if you wish to vote, either by the Vote From Abroad process, or by a regular Absentee Ballot, the first step is to register with your election office. That office is determined by the address of your last residence in the US.

For example, if you moved to Mexico from Los Angeles, your election office is Los Angeles County. You register with them by mailing them a simple form called the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You can get a copy online at VoteFromAbroad.org.

Even if you registered in the past, you must still register again for this election to Vote From Abroad. The law requires voters from abroad to re-register every election year.

The legal deadline for registering to vote in November 6, 2012 varies by state, but we strongly urge you to mail in your FPCA by mid August. Some states also allow you to fill out, sign, scan and email or fax your registration and VoteFromAbroad.org has links that will let you find out. In fact you can just answer a few questions and it will automatically match the FPCA to your state's rules and give you the address of your election office. Just print it out and mail it. Pretty slick.

However, if for any reason you need help, just send an email to bonmott(at)hotmail.com or snowkamp1(at)yahoo.com and Democrats Abroad Mexico Costa Banderas Chapter members will be happy to assist you.

If you live in the Banderas Bay area and have not already requested your ballot for the United States Presidential election on November 6, volunteers will be at two Mailboxes, Etc locations from 1-3 pm every Tuesday starting August 21 until early October to help you.

• Mailboxes, Etc., Blvd. Fco Medina Ascencio #2180, just south of Plaza Caracol in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

• Mailboxes, Etc., Ignacio L. Vallarta #130, just after you cross the bridge into Old Town

Defend Your Freedom - Vote!