Survey of Registered Voters Living Overseas

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Executive Services Directorate, Directives Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09, Alexandria, VA 22350-3100 (07XX-XXXX). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

If you have any other comments regarding this survey, please write to: Federal Voting Assistance Program, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 03J25 Alexandria, VA 22350.

FVAP 2015 Survey of Registered Voters Living Overseas

Privacy Notice

This survey does not collect or use personally identifiable information and is not retrieved by personal identifier. This notice informs you of the purpose of the 2015 Survey of Registered Voters Living Overseas and how the findings of this survey will be used. Please read it carefully.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act as modified by the Military and Overseas Voting Empowerment Act, 42 United States Code, Section 1973ff, and Executive Order 12642 requires the Department of Defense to conduct this survey.

This survey is conducted by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), which works to ensure that all Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools to do so - from anywhere in the world. Information collected in this survey will provide FVAP with critical information to help improve the services and information available for voters residing outside of the United States. Reports will be provided to the President and to Congress. Some findings may be published by FVAP or in professional journals, or presented at conferences, symposia, and scientific meetings. Data could be used in future research.

Completing this survey is voluntary. Most people can complete the survey in 10 minutes. There is no penalty if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so that the data will be complete and representative. This survey is being conducted for program evaluation at the worldwide level and at the country level. Your responses will be treated as confidential. Identifying information will not be collected in this survey or delivered to FVAP.

Additional Information

SURVEY ELIGIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS:  A sample of registered voters requesting absentee ballots sent to an international address was selected to participate in the survey. There is no direct benefit for your individual participation, however your responses, when taken together with the responses from other overseas citizens, will make a difference by helping to identify absentee voting difficulties that arise and areas where FVAP's products and services can be improved.

STATEMENT OF RISK:  The data collection procedures do not involve any substantial risk of disclosure of data.

If you experience any difficulties taking the survey, please contact the Survey Processing Center by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or call, toll-free, 1-800-xxx-xxxx.  If you have concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the OUSD(P&R) Research Regulatory Oversight Office at 703-575-2677/703-575-3536 or e-mail [email protected].

Once you start answering the survey, if you desire to withdraw your answers, please notify the Survey Processing Center prior to CLOSEDATE.  Please include in the e-mail or phone message your name, Ticket Number, and the PIN that you selected when you started this survey.  Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for participating in our survey.

It is only by hearing from everyone that

we can be sure that the results are truly

representative.

Your participation is voluntary and you may
choose not to answer specific questions.

Please make sure to fill out this survey
using only blue/black ink or pencil.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

1. On November 4, 2014, where was your place of residence?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

United States/territories (Skip to Question 6)

Country other than the United States (Please specify)

2. As of November 4, 2014, how long had you been located in this country?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Less than 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 4 years

4 to 6 years

6 to 8 years

8 to 10 years

10 to 12 years

12 to 14 years

14 years or more

3. As of November 4, 2014, how long had you lived at your current address?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Less than 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 4 years

4 to 6 years

6 to 8 years

8 to 10 years

10 to 12 years

12 to 14 years

14 years or more

4. As of November 4, 2014, how long had it been since you last lived in the United States?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Less than 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 4 years

4 to 6 years

6 to 8 years

8 to 10 years

10 to 12 years

12 to 14 years

14 years or more

5. What was the primary reason you were living outside of the United States on November 4, 2014?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

To be close to extended family

So that you could retire

So that your spouse could retire

So that you could go to school

So that your spouse could go to school

For volunteer or missionary service

To obtain a job with a new employer

So that your spouse could obtain a job with a new employer

I was transferred or accepted a new position with my previous employer

My spouse was transferred or accepted a new position with his/her previous employer

I was a citizen of my destination country

My spouse was a citizen of my destination country

Other (Please specify)

YOUR 2014 VOTING EXPERIENCE

A lot of people were not able to vote because they weren't registered, they were sick, they didn't have time, or something else happened to prevent them from voting. And sometimes, people who USUALLY vote or who PLANNED to vote forget that something UNUSUAL happened on election day this year that prevented them from voting THIS time. So please think carefully for a minute about the election held on November 4, 2014.

6. In the election held on November 4, 2014, did you definitely

vote in person on election day, definitely complete an absentee

ballot by mail, e-mail, fax, or online on or before November 4,

2014, definitely not vote, or are you not completely sure

whether you voted?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Definitely voted in person (Skip to Question 8)

Definitely voted by mail (Skip to Question 8)

Definitely voted by e-mail (Skip to Question 8)

Definitely voted at an online website (Skip to Question 8)

Definitely voted by fax (Skip to Question 8)

Not sure (Skip to Question 8)

Definitely did not vote (Continue to Question 7)

7. What was the main reason you did not vote in the November 4, 2014 election?

(MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

I was too busy to vote.

I forgot to vote.

I was not registered to vote.

I had no candidate preference.

I did not think my vote would matter.

I felt out of touch with the issues in my local community.

I felt out of touch with the issues in the United States.

I did not know how to get an absentee ballot.

My absentee ballot arrived too late.

My absentee ballot did not arrive at all.

The absentee voting process was too complicated.

I was concerned my absentee ballot would not be counted.

Some other reason

8. Did you request an absentee ballot for the November 4, 2014 election?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes

No, but I automatically received an absentee ballot from a local election official.

No, and I never received an absentee ballot.

No, I did not need an absentee ballot.

9. How interested or uninterested were you in the U.S. elections held on November 4, 2014?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Very uninterested

Somewhat uninterested

Neither interested nor uninterested

Somewhat interested

Very interested

10. Did you receive information about voting procedures from any of the following sources in 2014?

(MARK ONE ANSWER FOR EACH ITEM)

NO, WAS NOT AVAILABLE
NO, WAS AVAILABLE
YES
A	State or local election official	1	2	3
B	Local (country of residence) print newspapers, magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
C	U.S. civilian print newspapers, magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
D	International (print) newspapers, (print) magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
E	Family or Friends	1	2	3
F	Federal Voting Assistance Program website	1	2	3
G	Other Government Website	1	2	3
H	Non-government Web sites	1	2	3
I	Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)	1	2	3
J	Directly from Candidates/Parties	1	2	3
K	Other	1	2	3

11. Did you receive information about the candidates or election issues from any of the following sources in 2014?

NO, WAS NOT AVAILABLE
NO, WAS AVAILABLE
YES
A	State or local election official	1	2	3
B	Local (country of residence) print newspapers, magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
C	U.S. civilian print newspapers, magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
D	International (print) newspapers, (print) magazines, radio, or TV	1	2	3
E	Family or Friends	1	2	3
F	Federal Voting Assistance Program website	1	2	3
G	Other Government Website	1	2	3
H	Non-government Web sites	1	2	3
I	Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)	1	2	3
J	Directly from Candidates/Parties	1	2	3
K	Other	1	2	3

12. In preparation for the 2014 primaries and General Election, how many times did visit your state/local election website?

Never (Skip to Question 14)

Once (Continue to Question 13)

More than once (Continue to Question 13)

Do not recall (Continue to Question 13)

13. Overall, how satisfied were you with the state/local election website when you visited it in 2014?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

14. Did you seek voting information from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)?

Yes (Continue to Question 15)

No, and I was not aware of FVAP’s services (Skip to Question 18)

No, but I was aware of FVAP’s services (Skip to Question 18)

15. Please indicate which, if any, FVAP products or services you used for voting assistance.

(MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

FVAP.gov

FVAP staff support

FVAP online assistant tool

16. In preparation for the 2014 primaries and General Election, how many times did you visit FVAP.gov?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Never (Skip to Question 18)

Once (Continue to Question 17)

More than once (Continue to Question 17)

Do not recall (Continue to Question 17)

17. Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website when you visited in in 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

18. How many U.S. citizens do you know who resided in the country in which you resided on November 4, 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

None (Skip to Question 20)

1-2 (Continue to Question 19)

3-4(Continue to Question 19)

5-10(Continue to Question 19)

11-20(Continue to Question 19)

21-50 (Continue to Question 19)

50+(Continue to Question 19)

19. Of these U.S. citizens, how many of them would you estimate voted in the Election held on November 4, 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

None

1-2

3-4

5-10

11-20

21-50

50+

YOUR 2010 AND 2012 VOTING EXPERIENCES

20. Elections for the U.S. Senate, and U.S House of Representatives were held in 2010. A lot of respondents did not get to vote because they weren’t registered, they were sick, or they didn’t have time.

How about you – did you vote in that election?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Definitely voted in person

Definitely voted by mail

Definitely voted by e-mail

Definitely voted at an online website

Definitely voted by fax

Not sure

Definitely did not vote

21. Elections for the President, U.S. Senate, and U.S House of Representatives were held in 2012. A lot of respondents did not get to vote because they weren’t registered, they were sick, or they didn’t have time.

How about you – did you vote in that election?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Definitely voted in person

Definitely voted by mail

Definitely voted by e-mail

Definitely voted at an online website

Definitely voted by fax

Not sure

Definitely did not vote

YOUR ACCESS TO MEDIA

22. Did you have a cell phone on November 4, 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes (Continue to Question 23)

No (Continue to Question 24)

23. Some cell phones are called “smartphones” because
of certain features they have. Was your cell phone a

smartphone such as an iPhone, Android, Blackberry or

Windows phone, or are you not sure?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes, smartphone

No, not a smartphone

Not sure/Don’t know

24. Did you use a desktop or laptop computer at your workplace,

at school, at home, or anywhere else on at least an

occasional basis in November 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes

No

25. Did you use the internet or email, at least occasionally in November 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes (Continue to Question 26)

No (Skip to Question 29)

26. Did you access the internet on a cell phone, tablet or

other mobile handheld device, at least occasionally in November 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes

No

27. During a typical week, how many days did you watch, read,

or listen to news on the Internet, not including sports in November 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

None (Skip to Question 29)

One day (Continue to Question 28)

Two days (Continue to Question 28)

Three days (Continue to Question 28)

Four days (Continue to Question 28)

Five days (Continue to Question 28)

Six days (Continue to Question 28)

Seven days (Continue to Question 28)

28. How much attention did you pay to news about U.S. politics on the Internet in November 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

A great deal

A lot

A moderate amount

A little

None at all

29. How would you characterize the reliability of the

postal service of the country in which you resided on

November 4, 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Very low reliability

Low reliability

Somewhat reliable

Reliable

Very reliable

30. How would you describe the quality of the roads near your home in the country in which you resided on

November 4, 2014?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Very low quality

Low Quality

Moderate Quality

High Quality

Very High Quality

MORE ABOUT YOU

31. Are you Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

Yes, Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

32. What is your race?

Mark one or more races to indicate what race you consider yourself to be.

White

Black or African-American

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian (e.g., Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese)

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (e.g., Samoan, Guamanian or Chamorro)

33. What is the highest degree or level of school that you have completed?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

12 years or less of school

High School graduate-traditional diploma

High school graduate-alternative diploma (home school, GED, etc.)

Some college credit, but less than 1 year

1 or more years of college, no degree

Associate’s degree (e.g., AA, AS)

Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, AB, BS)

Master's, doctoral or professional school degree (e.g., MA, MS, Med, MEng, MBA, MSW, PhD, MD, JD, DVM, EdD)

34. As of November 4, 2014, in which countries did you hold citizenship?

(MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

United States

Country in which you were residing

Other (specify):

35. What is your marital status?

(MARK ONLY ONE)

Married (Continue to Question 36)

Separated (Skip to Question 37)

Divorced (Skip to Question 37)

Widowed (Skip to Question 37)

Never Married (Skip to Question 37)

36. As of November 4, 2014, in which countries did your spouse hold citizenship?

(MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

United States

Country in which you were residing

Other (specify):

37. Do you have children?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes (Continue to Question 38)

No (Skip to Question 39)

38. As of November 4, 2014, in which countries did your children hold citizenship?

(MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

United States

Country in which you were residing

Other (specify):

39. Which category represents your household’s total combined income during the 12 months leading up to November 4, 2014?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Under $1,000

$1,000-4,999

$5,000-9,999

$10,000-19,999

$20,000-39,999

$40,000-49,999

$50,000-74,999

$75,000-99,999

$100,000-149,000

40. In the week before November 4, 2014, did you have a job either full or part time?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes (Skip to end of survey)

No, retired (Skip to end of survey)

No, disabled (Skip to end of survey)

No, unable to work (Skip to end of survey)

No, and not retired, disabled, or unable to work (Go to question 41)

41. Had you been doing anything to find work during the 4 weeks before November 4, 2014?
(MARK ONLY ONE)

Yes

No

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for participating in the survey. If you have comments
or concerns that you were not able to express in answering this

survey, please enter them in the space provided. Your comments

will be viewed and considered as policy deliberations take place.

Your feedback is useful and appreciated.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

Federal Voting Assistance Program

P.O. Box 42047

Arlington, VA 22204-9047