VVA Chapter PI 887

United States Embassy Manila, Philippines

Message for U.S. Citizens: Reminder – Submit Your Absentee Ballot

October 8, 2024

If you haven’t already, please submit your absentee ballot as soon as possible. In general, absentee ballots need to be received by your voting district on or before Election Day, November 5, 2024. To help ensure your vote is counted, we recommend using electronic ballot return options if your voting district offers them. For more details on available electronic options, visit the online Voting Assistance Guide at: https://www.fvap.gov/guide.

If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Please follow these steps:

Place your ballot in a postage-paid return envelope OR in an envelope with sufficient domestic U.S. postage, addressed to your local election officials. Note that the U.S. Embassy does not sell stamps or U.S. postage, and we cannot accept unsealed envelopes. Envelopes of irregular size or bulk may be denied for acceptance into the diplomatic postal service.

Ensure your ballot is securely sealed in the outer postage-paid envelope. You can find a printable version of the postage-paid envelope through the FVAP and the UOCAVA websites. Accepted materials will be placed into the diplomatic postal service at the earliest opportunity.

As it can take up to 3 or 4 weeks for your ballot to reach its destination, please bring your ballot to the U.S. Embassy as early as possible.

Alternatively, you can return your FPCA or ballot directly to your local election officials using international mail or a professional courier service at your own expense.

At the Embassy, the ballot box is located at the public entrance on 1201 Roxas Boulevard. Alternatively, ballots can be dropped off at the Veterans Affairs Regional Manila Office, 1501 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Both locations are accessible from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on U.S. or Philippine holidays.

If you live near the Consular Agency in Cebu, you can drop off your ballot during their operating hours. The Consular Agency is located on the lower level of the Waterfront Hotel complex in Lahug, Cebu City. Once received, the ballot will be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Manila for inclusion in the diplomatic mail pouch. Please note that due to this additional step, ballots submitted in Cebu will take longer to reach voting officials than those submitted in Manila.

We recommend that you submit your ballot even if it might arrive at your voting district after the election, as only your election office can accept or reject your ballot for timeliness.

*****

Launch of the New Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – On September 16, 2024, the Department of State launched a new version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Re-enroll in the new system at step.state.gov to continue receiving alerts. The previous system will be deactivated on or around October 16, 2024, so those enrolled before September 16 will no longer be receiving alerts.

Research candidates and issues. Please see the FVAP links page for resources to research candidates and issues. FVAP regularly sends information about election dates and deadlines through their Voting Alerts. Email vote@fvap.gov to subscribe or follow FVAP on Facebook or Twitter.

Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the Voting Assistance Officer at U.S. Embassy Manila VoteManila@state.gov.

For further information:

See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, at +(63) (2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63) (2) 5301-2000.

Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.