Voting within Micronesia

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Is Voting Compulsory?

Yes. Every eligible citizen over the age of 18 must be able to vote in each federal election. Voting is a civic duty that helps people learn how governments work, and helps people decide how they want their government to work. Voting is one of many ways to get involved in influencing government policy in this country.

When the election was held in June 2015, only 1/3 of the population voted. This meant that the population was not accurately represented in their views, and did not represent the will of the electorate. Those who did not vote did not have their views or opinions properly represented in parliament. By having compulsory voting, we ensure that everyone is counted when elections occur in this country.

What happens if I do not vote?

After each election, Elections Micronesia will notify each elector who did not get clarified by the Elections Officer. A two-week period will pass to give the absentee elector time to reply to the letter. Should there be no reply, or if there is not a sufficient reply, a $200 fine will be applied to the absentee elector. This fine will be given out like any other fine given out in this country.

Why did I receive a "Failure to Vote" notice?

If you received a "Failure to Vote" notice from your Elections Officer it is likely that your name was not checked off by the poll worker on Election Day when you arrive to vote. Errors are uncommon, but should there be an error by Elections Micronesia, write back saying that you have voted. The Elections Officer will recheck your name for accuracy. Your deadline for paying the fine will be extended during the appeals process.

If you did indeed vote in the most recent election, but still received a "failure to vote" notice, please use the appeals form provided with the notice letter. You do not need to provide any postage to mail an appeal form for failing to vote. Ensure that you put in the exact address of the polling station to speed up the appeals process. Be prepared to write an affidavit clarifying that you voted for the election if your appeal is denied, if in fact you have voted.

What is a valid and sufficient reason for not voting?

These are valid reasons for not voting in an election:

  • Sudden and life-threatening illness that prevents you from voting (MUST be accompanied with a doctor's note)
  • Death of immediate family member/guardian within three days of the election date (A copy of the death certificate must be accompanied)
  • Long term trip outside the country (Any paperwork saying that you were outside the country must be accompanied)
  • Pre-Existing and valid religious beliefs (Must be consistent and must not be a fictitious religion)

These are NOT valid reasons for not voting in an election:

  • Minor illnesses (such as colds, coughs)
  • Pre-Existing conditions (disabilities of any kind)
  • Appointments or work obligations (except in exceptional circumstances, see below)
  • Weather conditions, such as rain or snow (in exceptional circumstances, the election may be delayed in your riding per the Extreme Weather Act)
  • Lack of interest or apathy in the election process
  • Simply forgetting when Election Day is or where the polling station is

I can't make it during Election Day. How can I vote?

If you know in advance that you cannot vote during the election, consider voting during Advance Polls. Advance Polling will be open during the weekend before the election. You do not need any extra identification to be able to vote during the Advance Polling period. Additionally, you can vote via Mail Balloting, which can be done through applying through your Elections Officer.

Your employer is required by law to give you three paid hours to vote on Election Day. If you cannot vote due to working obligations, consider voting through Advance or Mail voting. If for any reason your employer does not allow you to vote, please contact the Elections Officer and an investigation will be conducted.

Does this mean that I have to vote for a particular candidate?

No. You simply need to show up on Election Day and receive and submit your ballot. You can still vote for any candidate that you want. Your choice of ballot is not recorded down, only the fact that you showed up and submitted a ballot.

I don't like any of the candidates. Do I have to vote for one of them?

Part of the voting process is that you research which candidates are the best fit for your riding and for your country. However, if you do not wish to vote for any candidates, show up on Election Day and submit a blank ballot. This way you can still express your views and avoid a fine.

There are so many people in the electorate. Will my vote even count?

There have been many instances where the election has been decided by even a few votes. But regardless of how close an election may be, every vote counts in an election, because elections are a bit like a census. Each person submits their views on how they want the country to be run. So by submitting a ballot, you can tell the politicians where you currently stand on public opinion. Candidates then adjust their platform to make sure that they are more in line with public opinion.

The lineups are too long. Will I be able to vote?

For the next election, efforts are underway to speed up the voting process to make voting easier. But should the lineups be too long, do not worry, as it takes no longer than two minutes to take care of each elector. There is more than one ballot box at each polling station, so more than one person can vote at a time.

Above all, be patient when going into a polling station. Being impatient when dealing with long lineups can easily lead into a non-voting fine. If there is a serious problem with a polling station, bring photographic proof, or write an affidavit, and submit that as your reason why you did not vote. If the investigation proves that your concern is valid, your fine may be withdrawn.

I'm not registered to vote, yet I am a citizen over 18. Can I still vote?

Of course! Registering to vote is an easy process that only takes a few minutes. If you arrive at your polling station and you are not on the voter's list, make sure you have appropriate ID (such as a driver's license, a health card, or a passport) and you will be redirected to the voter registration station. Once your ID is accepted, you can vote like everyone else.

I have more than one address. Which riding do I vote in?

If you have more than one physical address (i.e. one for work and one for home), pick the one that you live in the most (your primary address) and use that as the riding that you will vote in. If you own two homes, and live in them an equal amount of time, you may pick one (and only one) address to register in a riding.

I do not have a fixed address. How do I vote?

All citizens over 18 can vote, even without a fixed address. Your "address" (for organizational purposes) will either be where your shelter is, or where your receive services from, such as a soup kitchen. As such, your riding is where your address is. When you arrive at your polling station, make sure you have an ID with your name on it, and an ID proving your address. If you don't have ID proving your address, ask for a Letter of Confirmation of Residence from your shelter or soup kitchen. Every registered shelter or soup kitchen has a Letter of Confirmation of Address for your convenience.

Someone I know is currently serving a jail sentence. Can they vote?

Yes. Citizens over the age of 18 can vote even if they are currently serving a jail sentence or are on parole or probation. The riding in which the elector will usually be the riding where the elector last lived in before being jailed, but there are other options as well. Those currently on parole or probation can vote normally like everyone else. Should they have a permanent parole officer, they will allow the elector to vote. Parole officers cannot impede electors from voting.

I know somebody who has passed away. How do I remove their name from the voters' list?

If you know someone who has passed away within the election cycle, contact Elections Micronesia and we will walk you through the steps of removing your loved one.

Elections Micronesia also receives information from the government on people who have passed away, and we remove people from the voters' list as such. In any case, check with Elections Micronesia to make sure that the deceased has been removed from the voters' list. This is to avoid any confusion from any erroneous Absentee Elector letters that may be sent out.

I did not get a voter information card in the mail. What should I do?

Each registered elector should receive an information card at least three weeks before Election Day. If you did not receive an information card, call Elections Micronesia to determine the location of the polling station, or visit the website. It is likely that your name is not on the voters list, so make sure to bring in proper identification to make sure that you are on the voters list in the future.

I'm worried that if I vote, or if I'm seen on the voter information list, I will be punished. Can I vote anonymously?

Yes. You can send in an application to Elections Micronesia to appear on the Anonymous Voters List, which will only be available to Secret Service agents and the police departments, and even then, only under a warrant. You must state the reason why you believe you or someone you know may be in danger if your name is seen printed on the Voter Register. Once approved, you will be able to vote either at a specific location away from general polling stations, or by mail. To ensure that you are on the Anonymous Voters List, you will need to renew your voter registration every 12 months.