Election type

Public Law 14-76 (“Revised National Elections Act of 2005”) - as amendedby PUBLIC LAW NO. 14-98 (2006)

Section 601(1): registered voters may apply for an absentee ballot for a range of reasons, including “if…[it is] highly impractical or extremely difficult for him or her to arrive at the Polling Place in time to cast a ballot on Election Day.”

The application must be made in writing to an election official, and state the reason for the voter’s absence: see Section 601(5) for a full list of requirements and formalities.

Note that the definition of ‘Election Day’ is the date "on which National Elections are conducted in the Federated States of Micronesia without regard to the actual date at any Polling Place outside the Federated States of Micronesia”: section 102(4)  Public Law 14-76.  (Our emphasis).

The definition of ‘National Elections’ includes “any general or special election for a Member, or any national referendum on a constitutional amendment”: Section 102(7). Public Law 14-76.

Note also that at least 3 of the 4 states of FSM provide for voting from abroad in certain circumstances.  See below for full details:

Chuuk Code, Title 13 ‘Elections,’ Chapter 6 'Election Day Procedures’ Articles 1532, 1533 and 1538.  

Kosrae State Code, Title 3 ‘Suffrage and Elections,’ Part II ‘Elections,’ Chapter 16 ‘Absentee Voting,’ Sections 3.1601, 3.1603, and 3.1604.  

Yap State Code, Title 7, ‘Elections,’ Chapter 7, ‘Absentee Voters,’ Articles 701-707.  

The absentee voting arrangements outlined in Section 601 apply to constitutional referenda. See definitions in Public Law No. 14-76.