[Updated Sep 25, 2020] The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Germany sent out the following information (emphasis/headlines added) in their June 10, 2020 Health Alert. It includes instructions on how to drop off forms and ballots at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin (in Dahlem) as well as the consulates general in Frankfurt and Munich.
We recommend returning your ballot by email or fax if your state permits this, it’s faster and simpler than the mail.
However, some states require postal ballots or send postage-paid envelopes with their absentee ballots, which are only good within the United States. In other cases, U.S. postage could be cheaper than mailing directly from Germany. Basically, the U.S. Embassy and consulates are offering a way to get your ballot or forms into the U.S. postal stream.
Following the current recommendations from Democrats Abroad Germany, we do NOT advise sending your ballot through diplomatic pouch as return times are HIGHLY VARIABLE.
“Despite COVID-19 restrictions, U.S. citizens may still drop off paper voting forms or ballots to be mailed to the United States. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can do so through international mail, or professional courier service, or through the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General.”
Berlin (Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin)
[updated from this page on September 25, 2020]
- “Go to the U.S. Embassy building at 170 Clayallee, 14195 Berlin from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with your registration or ballot;
- Inform the guard that you would like to drop off voting materials; and,
- The guard will direct you to the American Citizen Services unit where you can hand your ballot to a member of our Consular staff.”
Frankfurt (Gießener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt)
- “Go to the Consulate General entrance (Gießener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt) during regular business hours with your registration or ballot;
- Inform the guard that you would like to drop off voting materials; and,
- The guard will show you to the voting materials drop-box where you can leave your registration or ballot.”
Munich (Königinstraße 5, 80539 München)
- “Go to the Consulate General entrance (Koeniginstrasse 5 München 80539) during regular business hours with your registration or ballot;
- Inform the guard that you would like to drop off voting materials; and,
- The guard will show you to the voting materials drop-box where you can leave your registration or ballot.”
Envelopes
“Ballots must be placed in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities.”
If you need help registering to vote or requesting your absentee ballot (needs to be done every calendar year), please get in touch: berlin@democratsabroad.de You can find out more information and fill out your ballot request on votefromabroad.org. The site will guide you through submitting electronically if your state allows it, or filling out the forms to print if a paper form is required.