
My good friend Karen Serra is asking me the steps in absentee voting. She is presently in the U.S. but she wants to participate in 2010 elections. If i'm not mistaken, this will be her first time to vote from abroad. She felt her vote would count especially that Filipinos will be voting for national posts. Under the Overseas Absentee Voting Law, registered voters will only be allowed to participate in elections for senators and party-list groups.
Here are some important part of the Republic Act No. 9189: Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.
Section 11. Procedure for Application to Vote in Absentia
11.1 Every qualified citizen of the Philippines abroad whose application for registration has been approved, including those previously registered under Republic Act No. 8189, shall, in every national election, file with the officer of the embassy, consulate or other foreign service establishment authorized by the Commission, a sworn written application to vote in a form prescribed by the Commission. The authorized officer of such embassy, consulate or other foreign service establishment shall transmit to the Commission the said application to vote within five (5) days from receipt thereof. The application form shall be accomplished in triplicate and submitted together with the photocopy of his/her overseas absentee voter certificate of registration.
11.2 Every application to vote in absentia may be done personally at, or by mail to, the embassy, consulate or foreign service establishment, which has jurisdiction over the country where he/she has indicated his/her address for purposes of the elections. [edit] 11.3 Consular and diplomatic services rendered in connection with the overseas absentee voting processes shall be made available at no cost to the overseas absentee voter.
Section 12. Verification and Approval of Application to Vote All applications shall be acted upon by the Commission upon receipt thereof, but in no case later than one hundred fifty (150) days before the day of elections. In the event of disapproval of the application, the voter or his authorized representative may file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Commission personally, or by registered mail, within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice of disapproval. The Commission shall act within five (5) days from receipt of such Motion for Reconsideration and shall immediately notify the voter of its decision. The decision of the Commission shall be final and executory. The Commission shall issue an overseas absentee voter identification card to those whose applications to vote have been approved.