Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 171.13 - Absentee electors outside the country(a) A registered voter making application for an absentee ballot from outside the country is not required to do anything more than any other registered voter applying for an absentee ballot. The individual need only swear or affirm that he is unable to vote in person by reason of absence from the voting district on election day.(b) An absentee elector applying for absentee registration from a foreign country may not be specially hindered. An individual need not have a present physical residence in a locality in order to qualify as an elector for Presidential and Vice Presidential elections. Individuals without a present physical residence in the voting district, but who affirm they remain residents of a district while away, are valid absentee electors for President and Vice President under the provisions of the 1970 Voting Rights Act Amendments (42 U.S.C.A. § 1973aa et seq.).(c) For example, an individual residing in this Commonwealth sells his house and moves to France as a result of a job transfer. If he affirms that he remains a resident of the district in this Commonwealth, he shall be granted absentee balloting or absentee registration rights for Presidential and Vice Presidential elections under the provisions of the 1970 Voting Rights Act Amendments (42 U.S.C.A. § 1973aa et seq.). If he has no specific address at which to register, the voter shall be listed on the voters list as a general resident of the declared voting district.(d) If there is a substantial basis for doubting the United States citizenship of an applicant, as an absentee elector, after registration of the individual, a challenge should be made under existing Commonwealth election laws.