Health Alert – U.S. Mission Australia (August 19, 2020)
Location: Australia
Event: The U.S. Mission to Australia plans to send Alerts once per week unless local conditions warrant immediate messaging.
Now is the time to request your absentee ballot if you plan to vote in this year’s general election. In some states voter registration and ballot request deadlines for the November 2020 are as early as October 5. Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, we recommend that you complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each year to ensure you are able to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.
If you have already completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2020 and requested electronic delivery of your ballot, you will be receiving your blank ballot or instructions for how to access your ballot soon. If you are not sure about the status of your absentee ballot request, you should contact your local election officials in the United States or check the status of your registration via your state’s voter registration verification website.
It is recommended that ballots for the November 3rd election be mailed back to the United States by October 2, 2020. Voters in Australia or their representatives can drop off absentee ballots at the Embassy and Consulates General for postage-free mailing to the United States – be sure to bring current photo ID to be allowed entry to the Consulate (digital drivers licenses are not accepted). Ballots must be in sealed and addressed envelopes. The envelope does not need any U.S. postage if you use the postage-free envelope provided on the FVAP Website. If you do not use these postage-free envelopes, you would need to include U.S. postage stamps for 1st class domestic U.S. mail. Ballots can be dropped off at any of our Consulates or the Embassy on work days at the hours indicated below:
- U.S. Consulate General, Sydney – between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. A face mask must be worn to be allowed entry to the Consulate.
- U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne – between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm by appointment only. Please email MelbourneACS@state.gov to request an appointment.
- U.S. Consulate General, Perth – between 8:30 am and 11:00 am, Mon-Thurs. Only.
- U.S. Embassy, Canberra – between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Measures in Australia to limit the spread of COVID-19 vary by state and territory. Please check the individual state and territory websites for further information. State, territory, and local authorities may levy fines on and/or arrest individuals not following physical distancing or other orders.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Have a plan to depart from Australia that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Australia.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on COVID-19-related fraud.
- U.S. citizen voters or their representatives can drop off absentee ballots at the Embassy or Consulates for postage-free mailing to the United States; please find details here.
Assistance:
- U.S. Consulate General, Sydney, Australia
Level 10, MLC Center
19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9373-9200
Email: SydneyACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne, Australia
553 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Telephone: (03) 9526-5900
Email: MelbourneACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Consulate General, Perth, Australia
Level 4
16 St. Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 6144-5100
Email: PerthACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Australia Country Information
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