Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - It is not too soon to think about registering to vote in the 2016 US primaries and the November 8, 2016 general election from here in Mexico. Some states require you to re-register every year if you live abroad or will be abroad during election periods.

On March 1st and on March 3rd from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm Democrats Abroad Mexico - Costa Banderas Chapter members will be available to help you register to vote in your state's primary and general elections. We will be set up at The International Friendship Club located at Libertad 105, in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

We can assist people in signing up to become a member of Democrats Abroad, assist them in voting in Democrats Abroad's Global Presidential Primary, or help them register to vote in the last U.S. state in which they voted.

If you would like to vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary online, you must first be a member of Democrats Abroad, which can be done by going to DemocratsAbroad.org. Then, once you are a member, you can request your ballot by going to democratsabroad.org/global_presidential_primary.

If you would prefer to register to vote in your state's primary and the general election and receive your ballots here in Mexico, you can go to VoteFromAbroad.org. Please request both an FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) and a FWAB (Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot). This system is set up to assist people regardless of their party affiliation.

The exceptions to this process are those who last voted in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, because their primaries come before the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary.

If you last voted in Iowa or Nevada (two of the states that hold caucuses), you must be present at your caucus center to have your vote count. OR... you can vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary by being a member of Democrats Abroad and requesting your ballot from the comfort of your home computer by going to DemocratsAbroad.org.

If you last voted in New Hampshire or South Carolina, and you wish to register and receive your ballot for that state's primary, please do so today by going to VoteFromAbroad.org and complete the forms (the Federal Post Card Application - FPCA and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot - FWAB) necessary for re-registering. Or, you can always vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary either online or in person on March 1st and March 3rd. You should have your ballots sent to 2163 Lima Loop, PMB 130-375, Laredo, TX 78045. Let us know you're doing so, by emailing tjensen1942(at)hotmail.com, and we'll call you when your ballot arrives.

It's important to remember that you may vote for a Presidential candidate in either the Democrats Abroad (DA) Global Presidential Primary, or your home state's primary or caucus. When you vote in DA's Global Presidential Primary, you may not vote for a Presidential candidate in your voting state's primary. You may, however, still vote in your home state's primary for US House and Senate candidates and for other down ballot races as determined by your local election official. If this is the case, go to VoteFromAbroad.org to fill out and submit your FPCA and FWAB in order to receive your state's ballot at our special mailbox here in Puerto Vallarta.

As members of Democrats Abroad we are committed to each and every U S citizen around the world who is living abroad to exercise their sacred right to vote, regardless of party affiliation. Be An Absentee Voter - Not An Absentee Citizen!