Editor’s Note: The following is a response to Laura Louison’s PULSE post “Democracy in action?”

There are plenty of hurdles for many overseas U.S. voters. But I think there’s a way over this one.

You can use the Federal Write-In Ballot if you asked for an absentee ballot before October 2 and the absentee ballot doesn’t arrive in time. You can get a Federal Write-In Ballot from a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Be sure to check your state’s requirements regarding signatures, witnesses, postmarks, etc. These requirements are available online at www.OverseasVote2004.com and at www.fvap.gov.

Many states are overwhelmed with voter registrations and have been delayed in getting the absentee ballots out. Lawsuits about who’s on the ballot have also delayed mailings in some states.

Some consulates and embassies are not well-informed about the requirements and may give misleading and discouraging information. www.fvap.gov, the Pentagon’s official voter assistance site, can be complex and convoluted, but it is quite authoritative if you need something to show to consulate personnel.

Please persist.

And be assured that your vote will be counted. In this election, vote-counting will be carefully monitored. One party or the other will raise a loud cry about every uncounted vote.

In The Fray Contributor