Register to vote

[ski4evr 0]

My wife will have her interview on 10/2/12. The last day to register to vote for the general election is 10/29.

I do not think she can register to vote before she takes her oath. We are here in Spokane WA so from reading the forum it seems that it does matter where you live as when you can take your oath. So here are my questions and I think I will also go to the office and ask too.

1. Has anyone heard of taking the oath personally, one-on-one, like privately, or does it have to be part of some ceremony? It would be great if you can do it after you pass the interview.

2. Do you have to take the oath before you register to vote? I think I will have to check with the laws. I think you are not a US Citizen until you take your oath.

[waynelaarni 2]

My wife will have her interview on 10/2/12. The last day to register to vote for the general election is 10/29.

I do not think she can register to vote before she takes her oath. We are here in Spokane WA so from reading the forum it seems that it does matter where you live as when you can take your oath. So here are my questions and I think I will also go to the office and ask too.

1. Has anyone heard of taking the oath personally, one-on-one, like privately, or does it have to be part of some ceremony? It would be great if you can do it after you pass the interview.

2. Do you have to take the oath before you register to vote? I think I will have to check with the laws. I think you are not a US Citizen until you take your oath.

As what i have known there is no private oath taking. I believed you have to take the oath and they will give the naturalization certificate on the day of the oath so you are not considered US CITIZEN yet until you get your certificate.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Correct, you are NOT a US Citizen until your oath ceremony & receive your oath certificate. You can not vote before you become a citizen.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

You need to turn in your Green Card on the day you'll take the Oath. Then after the ceremony, you'll get in line to pick up your Naturalization Certificate. It's illegal to register or to vote if you're not a US Citizen.

The Right to Vote

One of the most important privileges of democracy in the United States of America is the right to participate in choosing elected officials through voting in elections. There are many different types of elections in the United States, such as federal elections, state elections or local elections. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Registering to vote or voting in a federal election is a crime if you are not a U.S. citizen. Non-U.S. citizens, including permanent residents (green card holders), who vote, or register to vote, in a federal election also can be denied naturalization and/or removed (deported) from the United States.

There are very few jurisdictions where a non-U.S. citizen may vote in a local election. However, this web site does not provide information regarding voting qualifications for state and local elections. You can obtain information regarding voting qualifications in local elections from your local voting authority. It is important to remember that even if you are allowed to vote in a local election, you are not eligible to vote in a federal election if you are not a U.S. citizen, nor in any other election that requires you to be a U.S. citizen.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Tintin and Mike

[Grashoppr 14]

I thought the deadline to register to vote was October 9th? Usually it's the 8th but this year the 8th is Columbus Day.

Am I wrong on that?

At this rate I won't likely get through the process in time to register

Grashoppr

[NickD 203]

Senator Feingold's office called the St. Paul field office so my wife could vote. St. Paul was famous for huge delays in the oath ceremony. Set a special oath ceremony for her at 8:00 AM in the morning. Try calling your senators office.

Politicians must feel your one vote is extremely important, get jammed with emails, least a half a dozen phone calls per day, lots of stuff in the mail, and guys knocking at my door. Been going strong for the last four months, just for one vote. Friends are going through the same thing.

[mamaSue 38]

I thought the deadline to register to vote was October 9th? Usually it's the 8th but this year the 8th is Columbus Day.

Am I wrong on that?

At this rate I won't likely get through the process in time to register

Grashoppr

Grasshoppr, as you know we're only a few days apart...

Atlanta seems to be crawling at a snail's pace! I also was really hoping we'd get in before it was too late to vote...don't think it'll happen now!

Occasionally Atlanta does a same-day interview and ceremony....so there's still a small chance.

We're going away for 3 months in February....my hope is now to get a US passport before then.

[AaronLV 12]

I thought the deadline to register to vote was October 9th? Usually it's the 8th but this year the 8th is Columbus Day.

Am I wrong on that?

At this rate I won't likely get through the process in time to register

Grashoppr

The deadline to register to vote varies by state. The states set the deadline, not the federal government.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

mamaSue,

Atlanta may give you an option for a same day oath ceremony if your interview is scheduled (and held) before 11 am in the morning. Later than that and they cannot process the paperwork in time for the ceremony which starts at 2 pm. (Actually, you need to be there for 2 pm but the ceremony doesn't start until at least an hour later). That being said, my interview was at 1:30 and my Oath Ceremony was 10 days later.

ski4ever,

Yes, you need to be a US citizen to register to vote which means having gone through the Oath ceremony. Your wife could request, if she is approved at the interview, a quick oath ceremony and explain she would like to be able to register to vote and needs to have her certificate prior to the 29th of September - registration cut off date - (actually it would need to be the day before so she would have time to go over to the Elections office and actually register). They may be willing - and able - to accommodate her. I have heard of private individual ceremonies in some cases but these have been because of extenuating circumstances in the applicants' personal life (- eg. disability, imminent birth, etc.). It is worth a try to request one, but it may not be an option.

Your wife should plan to register in person at the Elections Office. When I did, they required proof of my identification and proof of my US citizenship so she will need her Naturalization document. She should then get her SSN and DL changed over to reflect her citizenship right after she registers. Both of those departments will need to see the Naturalization certificate so she will need to take it with her. Only then should she send away for her US passport as she will need to send the certificate off to the passport office. Make sure you have at least one good quality colour photocopy of the certificate before she sends it off with the passport application. (You are told at the ceremony that you are allowed - and encouraged - to do this) so you will have proof of sorts of her citizenship, if challenged or required, until it and the passport returns.

Edited September 3, 2012 by Kathryn41

[ski4evr 0]

My wife is taking her test and will pass on 10/2 (she knows all 100 questions). The last day for her to register to vote is 10/29. The planned oath ceremony is like 11/13 because I checked and the 2 in October are full.

My question is what is the EXACT law for taking the oath and Citizenship. I want to read it. Does it say that is has to be at some ceremony? If all she has to do is take the oath she can do that with me (well, kidding) but why not a government official like a US Representative or Senator? A Judge? I am thinking that after the test and taking the oath she should be able to register to vote!

Thank you all in advance!

SKI

[Anh map 2,098]

My wife is taking her test and will pass on 10/2 (she knows all 100 questions). The last day for her to register to vote is 10/29. The planned oath ceremony is like 11/13 because I checked and the 2 in October are full.

My question is what is the EXACT law for taking the oath and Citizenship. I want to read it. Does it say that is has to be at some ceremony? If all she has to do is take the oath she can do that with me (well, kidding) but why not a government official like a US Representative or Senator? A Judge? I am thinking that after the test and taking the oath she should be able to register to vote!

Thank you all in advance!

SKI

It is done with a judge.

She will have many more opportunities to exercise her franchise.

I suggest a Google search to find the law.

[Grashoppr 14]

I believe the deadline to register to vote for this year's election is October 9th so that ship has sailed.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

I believe the deadline to register to vote for this year's election is October 9th so that ship has sailed.

:jest: Not quite, today is only Sept 30th.

[Grashoppr 14]

Reading another thread, here's a link for voter registration deadlines: http://www.longdistancevoter.org/voter_registration_deadlines#.UGjHFlGVxt1

Passing the test does not make one eligible to register to vote. One can only register AFTER their oath ceremony. Only then are they a citizen. So depending on the rules in your particular state, I may be able to stand corrected on the deadline.

Unfortunately I'm in a state where the absolute deadline is Oct. 9th this time around. Still waiting for interview letter here, so voting isn't happening for me this year.

[sjr09 155]

I believe the deadline to register to vote for this year's election is October 9th so that ship has sailed.

You have so much to learn young Grashoppa!