 FSM National Elections Office Explains Procedure for Voter ID Cards and VotingPalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): August 26, 2009 - One of the issues the FSM Election Office faces during FSM Elections is the missing of names from the Election Rolls. The FSM Election Office keeps a permanent electoral roll which is open for public inspection during working hours. All voters must verify with the FSM Election Offices to see if their names are listed on the correct rolls for the right polling places. This electoral roll is updated with the state's electoral rolls on a weekly basis. All registered voters are urged to go to their respective FSM Election Office and fill out their Voter Identification Card Applications. All Voter Identification Cards shall be issued free of charge, provided that, there shall be a charge in an amount to be set out in the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the FSM title for issuing a Registered Voter with a replacement Voter Identification Card. Upon issuing a Voter Identification Card to a registered voter, the National Election Director, or his or her designee, shall make a notation next to that registered voter's entry on the National Voter Register. A registered voter who has been issued a Voter Identification Card must present that card before being issued a ballot at his or her polling place. Required information for Voter Identification Cards is:
A voter with a valid Voter Identification Card may vote at any VAAPP ("Voting At Another Polling Place") or at a Special Polling Place designated for his or her Congressional Election District without having to go through the entire process of meeting the deadlines for submitting written requests. If a voter has not been issued a Voter Identification Card, then he or she shall present other proof of identity as required under the rules and regulations and will be able to vote only at their registered polling place where their names appear on the signature lists. Proof of identity is established by the polling officials and voters can use their passport, driver's license, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, military identification, social security card or health insurance card as proof of identity. In all cases involving an unlisted voter, the Election Board must ascertain the identity of the voter before allowing him or her to vote, either through personal knowledge of such identity held by a member of the Election Board for that polling place or through a valid source of identification, such as the ones listed above, exhibited by the voter. If the voter's identity cannot be ascertained hereunder, he or she shall not be allowed to vote. Also to note, any Election Board member, poll watcher, or registered voter may challenge the identity or eligibility of any person appearing at the polling place to vote. FSM Voters who are residing outside FSM can vote either by: 1) absentee by mail or 2) absentee at the Special Polling Place. In the case of a general election, the request to vote absentee ballot by mail must be received by the National Election Commissioner of the State in which the voter is registered not more than 120 days but not less than 40 days before Election Day. In the case of a special election, the National Election Director shall schedule a special election to occur 50 days after receipt of notification of the need for a special election. Preparation time for a special election is short, therefore, the best approach for FSM voters living abroad is to be aware of the election date as well as submission due dates for absentee applications. Requests to vote absentee ballot by mail must be received by the National Election Commissioner of the State in which the voter is registered not more than 50 days but not less than 35 days before the day of the special election. Requests to vote absentee ballot at a special Polling Place must be in writing, and received by the national election commissioner of the State of registration not less than 30 days prior to a general election or 20 days before a special election; provided however, no written request shall be required if in a previous National Election the absentee voter submitted a request in which he or she indicated his or her desire to vote at the same special Polling Place in future National Elections until such time as the voter provides written notification to the national election commissioner that he or she wishes to resume voting at his or her regular Polling Place. Provided, further, that a voter with a valid Voter Identification Card may vote at any special Polling Place designated for his or her Congressional Election District without submitting a written request. If you would like to fill out an absentee request form, please click on the following link, print out the form, and follow the directions on where to submit the form. Should you need additional information, please contact the National Elections Office at ned@mail.fm or call (691) 320-7805. |