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Voting as an American Expat in Mexico City

Nicole | September 12, 2024

I began my involvement in politics after the 2016 election in Michigan. I started working at the polls as an election worker. Sadly, I wasn’t aware that sometimes we have 4 elections per year. Smaller, city or county-based elections, but elections that are important nonetheless. My final election before I left the United States was the 2020 election where I was promoted to the polling place lead.

Over those 4 years, I learned so much about the voting process, registering people to vote, how votes are counted, etc. It quickly became a passion of mine to help with voter registration.

I left the United States in 2021, so I had to figure out what to do with my county clerk before I flew south.

Per the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs

VOTING IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE

U.S. citizens can receive an absentee ballot by email, fax, or internet download, depending on the state they are eligible to vote in. Go to vote.gov to find more information about registering to vote in your state.

Voting Eligibility

Most U.S. citizens 18 years or older who reside outside the United States are eligible to vote absentee for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. In addition, some states allow overseas citizens to vote for state and local office candidates and referendums. For information about your state, see the Voting Assistance Guide.

In some states, U.S. citizens who are 18 years or older and were born abroad but who have never resided in the United States are eligible to vote absentee. Direct your questions about eligibility to local election officials.

Absentee Voting Basics

Absentee voting is a simple two-step process:

Each year, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election officials. They will:

Confirm your eligibility to vote and put your name on a list to receive absentee ballots for any elections held that calendar year.

Send you a blank absentee ballot electronically or by mail.

Complete and return the ballot so it arrives before your state’s ballot return deadline. OR

If you have not received your blank ballot 30 days before an election, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote.

IMPORTANT: U.S. citizens abroad must submit a new FPCA each year to vote in U.S. elections. Submit your FPCA at the beginning of the calendar year, or at least 45 days before an election, to allow ample time to process your request and resolve any problems. Once approved, your name will be put on a list of voters to receive absentee ballots.

Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

To vote from abroad, you must register with local election officials in your state of voting residence AND request an absentee ballot. You can use the FPCA to do both. Submit a new FPCA early each year, every time you move, and whenever you change your address, email, or name.

Start at the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website, where an online assistant walks you through the process. You can also pick up an FPCA and copy of your state’s requirements from U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, or from many overseas U.S. citizen civic or political groups.

You can always return your FPCA by mail. In addition, most states allow you to send in your FPCA by fax or email. Consult the online Voting Assistance Guide for your state’s current instructions. If you need help completing or submitting the form, contact the voting assistance officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Receiving Your Blank Absentee Ballot

Forty-five days before November general elections, your state will send you a blank ballot either electronically or via mail at the address you provided on your FPCA.

Ballots will generally be mailed out 30 days before primary, special, and run-off elections. Depending on your state and your status abroad, you may receive absentee ballots for all elections or abbreviated ballots for federal office elections only.

If you are already registered, you should receive your ballot on or around September 21, 2024 for the Presidential Election on November 5, 2024.

Voting and Returning Your Ballot

Complete your ballot carefully, legibly, and as early as possible. Make sure to return it to local election officials in time to meet your state’s deadline.

Overseas voters have a number of options for returning completed ballots:

Local mail – If you have a reliable mail service to the United States, put your ballot in the mail with appropriate international postage.

U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Pouch – You or another person can drop off your ballot request (FPCA) or completed ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for return to the United States. It must be addressed to your local election officials and have sufficient U.S. postage, or be in a postage-paid envelope. A postage-paid envelope is available on the FVAP website. Contact the U.S. embassy voting assistance officer or visit the embassy’s website for specific instructions.

Fax, Email, or Internet – Some states permit electronic transmission of completed ballots. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for options in your state.

Express Courier Service – If time is short or local mail unreliable, you can use professional courier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS at your own expense. NOTE: FedEx does not deliver to P.O. boxes.

I voted for my first time from Mexico City in the 2024 Primary. I was emailed my ballot from my county clerk where I am registered, printed it out, filled it out, folded it as directed. I went to a FedEx office and had my ballot sent as cheaply as possible (I had over a month before the election), which costed around $75USD! Crazy! I’ve since then learned that you can drop off your ballot at the U.S. Embassy and they will mail it for you.

U.S. Embassy Mexico City accepts in-person drop-off of absentee ballots on days the Embassy is normally open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. without appointment. Bring completed, sealed, and stamped voting materials to our Embassy’s main entrance on Reforma Avenue. Our staff member will direct you where to place your voting materials. If you prefer to drop your ballot at your nearest Consulate or Consular Agency, check with that location to see if in-person ballot drop-off is available. Send questions to: VoteMexicoCity@groups.state.gov.

Embassy of the United States in Mexico City

At the bottom of this page is a link to U.S. Embassies in other areas in Mexico.

Using an Emergency Write-in Ballot

If you completed all required steps but have not received your ballot 30 days before an election, submit a completed Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Contact the voting assistance officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help, or visit the FVAP website to complete an FWAB using the online assistant. Write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the FWAB to your local election officials. If your regular absentee ballot arrives after submitting a FWAB, you should still complete and return it. Your FWAB will be counted only if your regular ballot does not reach local election officials by your state’s deadline. This will not invalidate your vote or result in casting two votes.

Verifying Your Registration

Most states have websites to verify voter registration. If you are unsure of your status or want to confirm that local officials have received and approved your registration, check the FVAP website for a directory of state voter registration verification websites. You can also write, email, or call local election officials directly.

Voting and Taxes

Voting for candidates for federal offices does not affect your federal or state tax liability. Voting for candidates for state or local offices could affect your state tax liability. Consult legal counsel if you have questions.

Read more specific details about voting in Mexico City HERE.

Remember, your vote matters. The American Citizens Abroad estimates that, as of 2022, there were 5.1 million U.S. citizens abroad, comprised of 3.9 million U.S civilians, plus 1.2 million service members and other government-affiliated Americans. Getting registered, filling out your ballot and sending it back in time is crucial!

My Best Tips for Traveling by Airplane with your Cat

Nicole | August 20, 2024

I’ve now been living in Mexico City for almost a full year. For the past two years, I flew back and forth with my cat Marley a couple times per year as I was exploring the idea of moving permanently.

With these many flights, I discovered solutions to a few pain points that I want to share with you to make your trip with your cat easier. Whether traveling international or domestic, these tips should make your time in the airport and in the air less stressful for both you and your cat.

You can read my first post “Cat Travel- Mexico to Michigan, USA” where I looked into the best airline to travel from Michigan and the regulations of pet travel between Michigan and Mexico.

In summary from my past article: I love flying Delta with Marley. It’s easy to use the chat feature on Delta’s website to verify the flight has available space for a pet onboard, then they can easily add the pet to the flight(s). To reserve a spot on the flight, they will need your pet’s breed, age, weight of the pet + carrier, if the carrier is hard or soft, the dimensions of the carrier. You do not need to pay anything with Delta when reserving the spot on the flight, but you do have to already have paid for your flight. You will not be able to do online check-in. At the desk, they will check your pet’s paperwork and you will pay your pet fee. Pet Fees with Delta. Another piece of advice: your pet carrier will be your carry-on and must be placed under your seat. I take a backpack with my purse in it, laptop, medications, and any other important things I want on board with me.

(If you don’t have your own Delta American Express card, feel free to use my referral link to grab yours! As of August 2024, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar at Restaurants worldwide and U.S. Supermarkets, 2 miles per dollar on Delta Purchases, and receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights! Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. If you use my referral link, I may receive bonus points with your sign-up.)

Marley’s Favorite Carrier

The carrier that I love to use for Marley’s airline travel, car travel and veterinary trips is the Sherpa Delta Airlines Travel Pet Carrier, Airline Approved & Guaranteed On Board. It is 18.0″L x 11.0″W x 10.5″H and fits pets up to 16 lbs. It has a fuzzy liner at the bottom to keep your pet warm and cozy. The liner is removable to wash if needed. Both hand and shoulder strap are included. The shoulder strap was hugely important to me, as it’s long enough to use it as a cross-body and makes it much easier to navigate having your hands free. There are mesh windows and roll-up “curtains” so you can modify for your pet’s best needs – if they like to look out or if it stresses them out.

The carrier has a medium-sized pocket which I initially kept folded up paperwork – I now keep this in a folder in my backpack. I now include Marley’s harness and leash, her portable/collapsable litter box and foldable water/food dish.

How to take your cat to the bathroom?

I’m very fortunate that Marley is a really chill cat. She is older so it’s important that she does get to use the bathroom often. I usually take early flights, so I pick up her water bowl the night before our flight. I don’t take her out of her carrier while on the plane, so we make sure to get to a safe place for her to use her litter box before and after the flight.

Currently, I use my Priority Pass, one of the perks of my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, to spend some relaxing time at a lounge with Marley before our flight. The Minute Suites at DTW airport are “purrfect” for us. They are private rooms with a couch and TV to hang for an hour. I set up Marley’s portable/collapsable litter box and foldable water/food dish and let her roam and stretch out before our flight.

(If you want to join the Sapphire Reserve club, where you get a $300 travel credit, free Priority Pass, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit, no foreign transaction fees and much more! You can use my referral link to apply! If you use my referral link, I may receive bonus points with your sign-up.)

Here’s a pain point that I learned after my first two flights. Figuring out how to clean the portable litter box was a hassle, trying to rinse it out awkwardly in a public bathroom, wiping it dry with toilet paper. Yuck. I started traveling with 2-3 litter box liners. These are the ones I buy from Amazon: Jonny Cat Litter Box Liners: Heavy Duty – Tear & Leak Resistant with Drawstring Close. Using these litter box liners has changed my life!

Jonny Cat litter box liners

If the suites are not available, I try to find a family bathroom. I set up her litter box with liner, and if it’s a private space, I let her out to roam and go potty. If a private restroom isn’t available, I will try for a back corner bathroom stall and use her harness and leash.

Do you medicate your cat for your flight?

It is not recommended to medicate your pet prior to flights. Marley meows a bit when we get into the car, but she’s quiet as a mouse once we’re arrived to the airport and during the entire flight. I reach my hand into her carrier a few times to check on her and she just sleeps.

I recommend acclimating your cat to its carrier before any trips. Allow your pet to get used to the carrier in the house, throw treats into it. Then move on to placing your cat in the carrier, zipping it and walking around. Then proceed to a short car trip. This will give you an idea of how your cat will react.

When you visit with your veterinarian for a general check-up, health certificate and/or vaccinations, you can chat with your veterinarian if you find that your cat suffers from panic/anxiety being in the carrier and what your options are.

What happens during security?

I think it’s important to understand how security check will go with your pet. Prep all of your personal belongings as normal. You are permitted to bring one day’s worth of food and litter with you on the flight (check your airline for details). Remove the bag of cat food and litter and place them in a separate bin. It is highly likely that they will pull you aside after you go through the metal detector to test the litter. Due to this extra time and to not cause yourself anxiety, be sure to show up to the airport early for this – although it doesn’t take very long and it’s a simple process.

Let the agent know that you have a cat. You will need to remove your cat from the carrier and place the carrier on the belt. At this time, you may want to already have the harness and leash on your cat (you can do this in the bathroom before security) or just attach the leash to your cat’s collar for safety. The airport can be heavy-stimulation for your cat, so it’s important to know how to hold your cat where they will feel safe while you walk through the metal detector together.

How to properly hold a cat

After the metal detector, place your cat back in the carrier and carefully remove the harness/leash. This is where security will likely pull you aside to test the litter.

After your flight

After your flight, I suggest finding the nearest restroom. Set up the litterbox with a liner and let your cat have a potty break. If you’re in Mexico, you will go through customs and then stop at the SENISECA desk to receive documentation permitting your cat into the country. They will have you fill out some paperwork and have a quick visual inspection of your cat to ensure they are healthy.

Buen Viaje

I hope this article helps make you and your pet’s experience traveling smooth and anxiety-free. Please comment if you have any questions!

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Wise’s Exchange Rate Tracker: The little things in Mexican expat life that excite me

Nicole | July 26, 2024

I had never heard of Wise as a money-transfer application until I started frequenting Mexico and needed to send money to landlords, pay for goods by transfer, etc.

I once attempted to pay for rent with Paypal and literally – F that – Paypal’s fees are astronomical! So I asked around and was told Wise is a great option as an American in Mexico (Wise is a British company and only permits transactions in certain countries and currencies). I used my friend’s referral code to sign up (which I’ll give you mine at the end if you need to download Wise after hearing my story) and that means for you as a new customer, Wise will waive the fee on up to 500 GBP (or equivalent) of your first transfer! Score!

Wise gives a really fair exchange rate comparable with the true market price and guarantees the rate locked in for 8 hours when you start the transfer. The fees are pretty low, in my opinion and I love their due diligence of giving you comparable options of ways you may save more money with other companies. Who does that? Good companies who want you to trust them.

So what excited me today? The exchange rate of the dollar to peso has dropped substantially in the past year. After the Mexican presidential election, the exchange rate became more favorable towards the USD. For expats, amazing news especially for bigger spendings like rent.

I found that Wise offers a currency exchange tracker! You can tell the system where you’d like to be notified when the exchange rate hits a certain point. For instance, I have two trackers set for 18.50 pesos per dollar and 19.00 pesos per dollar (wishful thinking).

This morning I had an email from Wise that the exchange rate hit 18.50! For me, that means it’s ATM run time! I literally threw on clothes are rushed to the ATM to get cash from my USA account. I love using Charles Schwab checking because they do not charge any fees world-wide with ATM withdrawals. And get this… they REFUND your ATM fees from the other banks every month! WIN WIN!