Overseas Citizen Population Survey

2017 Overseas Citizen Population Survey (OCPS) OMB Control 0704-0539

Please enter your personal ticket number:

Introduction omb expiration date: xx/xx/xxxx

Please read the following information carefully. It explains the purpose of the 2017 Overseas Citizen Population Survey and how the findings of this survey will be used.

This survey is being 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. This survey will provide FVAP with critical data to help improve the services and information available to voters residing outside of the United States. Data from this survey will be used in reports to the president and Congress; the Department of Defense is required to conduct this survey to meet its reporting requirements under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) as modified by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE). Some findings from this survey may also be published in professional journals or presented at conferences.

Completing this survey is voluntary. Most people can complete the survey in 10 minutes. This survey does not collect or use personally identifiable information (PII) and is not retrieved by personal identifier. There is no penalty if you choose not to respond. However, we strongly encourage you to participate so that the data will be complete and representative. 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 to be 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 combined with the responses from other overseas citizens, will make a difference in helping 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 completing the survey, please contact the Survey Processing Center by sending an email to [email protected] or call 877-374-6217 toll-free. If you have concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the OUSD(P&R) Research Regulatory Oversight Office at 703-681-6522/703-681-8320 or e-mail [email protected].

Once you start answering the survey, if you desire to withdraw your answers, please notify the Survey Processing Center before [DATE]. Please include in the email or phone message your name and ticket number. Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice

The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0704-0539, 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 the burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected]. 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.

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.

Where do you live?

USCTZN

1. On November 8, 2016, where was your primary residence?

2		United States/territories
1		Country other than the United States

2. What was the last month and year in which your primary residence was in the United States? (Please estimate if you are unsure of the exact month and year.)

month

year

2A. [Ask if Q2 after 2000, only dates before Q2 migration year] Was your primary residence also outside of the United States during the following dates?

	2 No
	1 Yes
	2A1. November 2000
	2A2. November 2002
	2A3. November 2004
	2A4. November 2006
	2A5. November 2008
	2A6. November 2010
	2A7. November 2012
	2A8. November 2014

3. Please specify your country of residence on November 8, 2016.

Drop down menu listing frame countries. (State Department Names?)

4. In which month and year did you last move to this country? (Please estimate if you are unsure of the exact month and year.)

month

year

4A. [Ask if Q4 after 2000, only dates before Q4 migration year] Was your primary residence also in this country during the following dates?

	2 No
	1 Yes
	4A1. November 2000
	4A2. November 2002
	4A3. November 2004
	4A4. November 2006
	4A5. November 2008
	4A6. November 2010
	4A7. November 2012
	4A8. November 2014

5. In which month and year did you last move to your current address? (Please estimate if you are unsure of the exact month and year.)

month

year

5A. [Ask if Q5 after 2000, only dates before Q5 migration year] Was your primary residence also at this address during the following dates?

	2 No
	1 Yes
	5A1. November 2000
	5A2. November 2002
	5A3. November 2004
	5A4. November 2006
	5A5. November 2008
	5A6. November 2010
	5A7. November 2012
	5A8. November 2014

6. In the 12 months before November 8, 2016, how many times had you traveled to the United States?

7. What was the primary reason that you were living outside of the United States on November 8, 2016? Was it because you, a partner, and/or a family member…

1		… were born outside the United States.
2		… moved with parents.
3		… could be close to extended family.
4		… could retire.
5		… could go to school.
6		… could obtain a job with a new employer.
7		… were transferred by an employer.
8		… were a citizen of the destination country.
9		… were serving in the military.
		… were there for religious/missionary reasons.
		… were there for nonreligious volunteer work.
		Other

7A. [Ask if Q7 = Other] Please specify the primary reason you were living outside of the United States on November 8, 2016.

Your 2016 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 this year’s Election Day that prevented them from voting this time. So please think carefully for a minute about the election held on November 8, 2016.

USCTZN

8. In the election held on November 8, 2016, 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 8, 2016, definitely not vote, or are you not completely sure whether you voted in that election?

1		Definitely voted in person
2		Definitely voted by mail
3		Definitely voted by e-mail
4		Definitely voted at an online website
5		Definitely voted by fax
6		Definitely did not vote
7		Not sure

9. Did you request an absentee ballot for the November 8, 2016? Mark one.

1		Yes
2		No, but I automatically received an absentee ballot from a local election official.
3		No, I never received an absentee ballot, but I expected to receive one.
4		No, I did not need an absentee ballot.

9A. Did you expect to receive an absentee ballot automatically from an election official for the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		Yes
2		No
4		Not sure

9B. [Ask if Q9 = Yes] How did you request an absentee ballot for the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		Mail
2		Email
3		Website
4		Fax
5		I’m unsure how I submitted an absentee ballot request.

9C. [Ask if Q9 = Yes] Was this the first time you requested an absentee ballot while living in [pipe in Q3 response]?

1		Yes
2		No

10. Did you receive an absentee ballot from an election official for the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		Yes
2		Not sure
3		No

10A. Did you obtain a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		Yes
2		Not sure
3		No

10B. [Ask if Q10 or Q10A = Yes] How did you obtain your absentee ballot?

1		Mail
2		Fax
3		E-mail
4		In person
5		Downloaded ballot from State link on FVAP.gov
6		Downloaded ballot from State voting website
7		Downloaded ballot from State link at another website
8		Other
60		Do not recall

11. [Ask if Q10 or Q10A= Yes] Did you return your absentee ballot for the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		Yes
2		Not sure
3		No

11A. [Ask if Q11 = Yes] How did you return your absentee ballot?

1		Regular mail
2		USPS Express/​Certified mail
3		FedEx, UPS, DHL, or other commercial delivery carrier
4		FVAP Electronic Transmission System (ETS), including ETS fax and ETS email
5		Fax, excluding Electronic Transmission System (ETS)
6		E-mail (e.g., as an attachment)
7		Online (e.g., through a secure website)
8		Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office
9		Other

12. [Ask if Q11 and Q11C = “Not Sure” or “Definitely did not vote in person”] What was the main reason you did not vote in the November 8, 2016, General Election?

1		I tried/​wanted to vote but did not or could not complete the process.
2		I did not want to vote.

NOVOTEWHY

12A. [Ask if Q12 = “I tried/​wanted to vote but did not or could not complete the process.”] Which of the following best describes why you did not vote in the election?

1		I was not registered to vote.
2		I did not know how to get an absentee ballot.
3		My absentee ballot arrived too late.
4		My absentee ballot did not arrive at all.
5		The absentee voting process was too complicated.
7		Some other reason

12B. [Ask if Q12A = Other] Please specify the primary reason why you did not vote in the November 8, 2016, General Election.

13. [Ask if Q11 and Q11C = “Not Sure” or “Definitely did not vote in person”] If you had voted, how confident are you that your vote in the November 8, 2016 General Election would have been counted as you intended?

1		Very confident
2		Somewhat confident
3		Not too confident
4		Not at all confident

13A. [Ask if Q13 = “Not too confident” or “Not at all Confident”] Why do you not feel confident that your vote would have been counted as you intended?

14. [Ask if Q11 or Q11C = Yes] How confident are you that your vote in the November 2016 General Election was counted as you intended?

1		Very confident
2		Somewhat confident
3		Not too confident
4		Not at all confident

14A. [Ask if Q14 = “Not too confident” or “Not at all Confident”] Why do you not feel confident that your vote was counted as you intended?

15. Did you experience any of the following when you attempted to vote absentee in the November 8, 2016, General Election? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	2 No
	1 Yes
	I did not know how to obtain an absentee ballot.
	I had difficulty registering to vote.
	I had difficulty requesting a ballot or completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
	My ballot did not arrive on time.
	My ballot did not arrive at all.
	I expected to receive a ballot automatically but did not.
	I was informed that there was a problem with my signature.

Voting Resources

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 8, 2016. 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 8, 2016.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides the following services to help overseas citizens successfully complete the absentee-voting process.

FVAP.gov:

FVAP.gov provides customized, voting-related information and resources for all citizens covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

The website also provides State-specific election information, including dates, deadlines and contact information that voters can rely on to adhere to their State’s absentee-voting process. Other products and services, such as fact sheets and FAQs, are also available at FVAP.gov.

FVAP staff support:

FVAP provides support through email at [email protected] and a toll-free telephone service, which allows American citizens living overseas who are eligible to vote to ask FVAP staff for voting information or assistance.

FVAP Online Assistant:

FVAP offers an easy-to-use online assistant at FVAP.gov to guide voters in completing Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots (FWABs).

The online assistant tool simplifies the completion of FPCAs and FWABs by providing State-specific information and instructions on how to download, print and return forms to election offices.

USCTZN

16. Before taking this survey, were you aware of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) or its services?

1		Yes
2		No

17. [FVAP.gov, FVAP staff support, and FVAP online assistant tool only appear if Q16 = yes]

In preparation for the 2016 primaries or general election, did you use any of the following resources? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	2 No
	1 Yes
	FVAP.gov
	FVAP staff support
	FVAP online assistant tool
	State or local election office website
	Voting assistance resources provided by U.S. government facilities in [pipe in 2016 country of residence Q3] (e.g., U.S. consulate, military base)

18. [Ask if Q17 “FVAP.gov” or “FVAP online assistant tool” = yes] Overall, how satisfied were you with the FVAP website when you visited it in anticipation of the November 8, 2016 General Election?

1		Very satisfied
2		Satisfied
3		Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
4		Dissatisfied
		Very dissatisfied

19. [FVAP.gov, FVAP staff support, and FVAP online assistant tool only appear if Q16 = yes]

Please indicate which, if any, FVAP products or services you have used for voting assistance during any election before the 2016 General Election. Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	2 No
	1 Yes
	FVAP.gov
	FVAP staff support
	FVAP online assistant tool
	State or local election office website
	Voting assistance resources provided by U.S. government facilities in [pipe in 2016 country of residence Q3] (e.g., U.S. consulate, military base)

20. [Ask if Q17 “State or local election office website” = yes. FVAP.gov only appears if Q16 = yes] What source led you to visit your State or local election office website when you visited in anticipation of the November 8, 2016 General Election?

1		FVAP.gov
2		Internet search
3		State or local election official
4		Family or friend
		State Department or Consular Services
		Other

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a single form that you can use to register to vote and/​or request an absentee ballot for federal elections.

Some States require eligible voters who vote absentee to use the FPCA to request an absentee ballot.

FPCAAWARE

21. Before taking this survey, were you aware that you could use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote and request an absentee ballot?

2		Yes
1		No

REQFPCA

21A. [Ask if Q21 = “Yes” & Q9 = “Yes”] Did you use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request your absentee ballot or did you use another method?

1		Yes, I used an FPCA to request an absentee ballot.
2		No, I used a State or local form to request an absentee ballot.
3		No, I used a non-government website (e.g., Rock the Vote [RTV], Overseas Vote Foundation [OVF]) to request an absentee ballot.
4		No, I used another method.

[Display if Q10A ! = “Yes”] The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB; Standard Form 186) is a backup way to vote in case your requested absentee ballot does not arrive in time to vote and return your ballot. It lets you write in the names of the candidate you wish to vote for.

Please answer with the most appropriate response regarding the November 8, 2016, General Election.

FWABUSE

22. [Ask if Q10A !=“Yes”] Before taking this survey, were you aware of the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

1		Yes
2		No

23. Did you receive information about the absentee-voting process from any of the following sources in 2016? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	2 No
	1 Yes
	State or local election official
	U.S. newspapers, magazines, radio or TV
	International newspapers, magazines, radio or TV
	Family or friends living outside of [pipe in Q3 response option]
	Family or friends living in [pipe in Q3 response option]
	Internet other than social media
	Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, blogs)
	Directly from candidates/parties
	Employer/Human Resources department
	An organization for Americans living abroad
	Other

24. Did you access the internet on a cell phone, tablet or other mobile handheld device at least occasionally in October 2016?

1		Yes
2		No
3		Not Sure/Don’t Know

25. How would you characterize the reliability of postal service in [pipe in Q3 response] relative to the United States Postal Service?

1		Much less reliable
2		Somewhat less reliable
3		About the same level of reliability
4		Somewhat more reliable
		Much more reliable

Engagement

26. How interested or uninterested were you in the election held on November 8, 2016?

5		Very interested
4		Somewhat interested
3		Neither interested nor uninterested
2		Somewhat uninterested
1		Very uninterested

27. How much attention did you pay to news about U.S. politics and the November 8, 2016 General Election in October 2016?

1		A great deal
2		A lot
3		A moderate amount
4		A little
		None at all

28. Do you ever use social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter to do any of the following? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	2 No
	1 Yes
	Post links to political stories or articles for others to read
	Post your own thoughts or comments on political or social issues
	Encourage other people to take action on a political or social issue that is important to you
	Encourage other people to vote
	Repost content, related to political or social issues, that was originally posted by someone else
	“Like” or promote material related to political or social issues that others have posted

Social connections

29. How many U.S. citizens aged 18 and older would you estimate you know who resided in [pipe in Q3 response] on November 8, 2016?

29A. [Ask if Q29 > 0] How many of the U.S. citizens in [pipe in Q3 response] that you know would you estimate you talked to about absentee-voting procedures?

29B. [Ask if Q29 > 0] Of the U.S. citizen, aged 18 and older who you knew in [pipe in Q3 response] on November 8, 2016, how many of them would you estimate requested an absentee ballot or had an absentee ballot sent to them for the election held on November 8, 2016?

29C. [Ask if Q29 > 0]

How many U.S. citizens aged 18 and older resided at your primary address in [pipe in Q3 response] on November 8, 2016?

More about you

30. Are you Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?

1		No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino
2		Yes, Mexican, Mexican, American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

31. What is your race? Mark all that apply.

1		White
2		Black or African American
3		American Indian or Alaska Native
4		Asian (e.g., Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese)
		Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (e.g., Samoan, Guamanian, or Chamorro)

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

1		12 years or less of school
2		High school graduate—traditional diploma
3		High school graduate—alternative diploma (home school, GED, etc.)
4		Some college credit but less than one year
		One or more years of college, no degree
		Associate degree (e.g., AA, AS)
		Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, AB, BS)
		Master’s, doctoral or professional school degree (e.g., MA, PhD, JD)

33. As of November 8, 2016, in which country or countries did you hold citizenship? Mark all that apply.

1		United States
2		[pipe in Q3 response]
3		Other

33A. [Ask if Q33 = Other] Please specify the country or countries where you hold citizenship other than the United States or [pipe in Q3 response option].

34. What is your marital status?

1		Married
2		Separated
3		Divorced
4		Widowed
		Never married

35. [Ask if 34 = Married] As of November 8, 2016, in which country or countries did your spouse hold citizenship? Mark all that apply.

1		United States
2		[pipe in Q3 response]
3		Other

35A. [Ask if Q35 = Other] Please specify the country or countries where your spouse holds citizenship other than the United States or [pipe in Q3 response option].

36. Do you have children?

1		Yes
2		No

37. [Ask if Q36 = Yes] As of November 8, 2016, in which country or countries did your children hold citizenship? Mark all that apply.

1		United States
2		[pipe in Q3 response]
3		Other

37A. [Ask if 37 = other] Please specify the country or countries where your children hold citizenship other than the United States or [pipe in Q3 response option].

38. Which category represents your household’s total combined income during the 12 months leading up to November 8, 2016?

1		Under $1,000
2		$1,000–$4,999
3		$5,000–$9,999
4		$10,000–$19,999
		$20,000–$39,999
		$40,000–$49,999
		$50,000–$74,999
		$75,000–$99,999
		$100,000–$149,999
		$150,000+

39. In the week before November 8, 2016, did you work either full-time or part-time for pay?

1		Yes
2		No, I was retired.
3		No, I was disabled.
4		No, I was unable to work.
		No, I was a caretaker or stay at home parent.
		No, other

40. As of November 8, 2016, did you own any of the following assets within the United States? Mark all that apply.

1		Privately held home or other dwelling
2		Privately held business
3		Privately held land
4		Stocks or bonds
		Checking or savings account
		Other assets

41. 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 below. Please do not include any Personally Identifying Information (PII).

USCTZN

1