dual citizenship

[menina 50]

Hello all my friends from Brasil-

My husband is planning to maintain dual citizenship once he becomes an American citizen in a couple of years. In order to do this, he must vote in the general elections in Brasil. The next election is in November. Can anyone tell me how he goes about voting in Brasil while he is here in the USA? Would he be able to do it at the consulate? Anyone who has been through this, please offer advice. Thank-you!

[DoneWaiting 15]

Entitlement to an external vote

The right to vote externally extends to every elector abroad who has Brazilian nationality, including those who have acquired another nationality, but only when they have done so as a condition of remaining in the foreign country or of exercising their civil rights, because this is the only situation in which Brazilian legislation acknowledges dual nationality. Thus, every Brazilian citizen by birth or by naturalization, and those with dual nationality, retain the right and the obligation to participate in presidential elections.

According to the electoral legislation, the right to an external vote does not extend to those who are outside the country temporarily or provisionally or to those who are not formally resident abroad, such as students, temporary workers or tourists. However, it has to be said that the legislation does not establish precise criteria for the application of this rule; indeed, the dynamics of international migration make it impossible to determine clearly who is formally and definitively a migrant. Thus all those Brazilian citizens who register in time as external electors at an embassy or consulate are qualified to vote.

[DoneWaiting 15]

Contact your local embassy or consulate

Entitlement to an external vote

The right to vote externally extends to every elector abroad who has Brazilian nationality, including those who have acquired another nationality, but only when they have done so as a condition of remaining in the foreign country or of exercising their civil rights, because this is the only situation in which Brazilian legislation acknowledges dual nationality. Thus, every Brazilian citizen by birth or by naturalization, and those with dual nationality, retain the right and the obligation to participate in presidential elections.

According to the electoral legislation, the right to an external vote does not extend to those who are outside the country temporarily or provisionally or to those who are not formally resident abroad, such as students, temporary workers or tourists. However, it has to be said that the legislation does not establish precise criteria for the application of this rule; indeed, the dynamics of international migration make it impossible to determine clearly who is formally and definitively a migrant. Thus all those Brazilian citizens who register in time as external electors at an embassy or consulate are qualified to vote.

The mechanism for external voting

The current legislation provides that external voting will be done in person at Brazilian embassies and consulates worldwide, where electors are registered according to their address in the foreign country. All the procedures for registering and voting are the responsibility of the diplomatic mission, and it is the diplomatic missions which compile and send the lists of electors registered for each electoral event to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia.

[Ladylethal 12]

I'm pretty sure this year's limit to register as "eleitor no exterior" already passed, so his option this year would be to download the form to justify his not voting on this year's election. He can call the Brazilian consulate of his jurisdiction to see when he'd be able to register himself as a voter for the next election and for info on justifying this year's vote.

[menina 50]

I'm pretty sure this year's limit to register as "eleitor no exterior" already passed, so his option this year would be to download the form to justify his not voting on this year's election. He can call the Brazilian consulate of his jurisdiction to see when he'd be able to register himself as a voter for the next election and for info on justifying this year's vote.

Do you know where I can download this form? How early does he need to register as eleitor no exterior? I think the election is not until November. Thanks for your advice!

[Ladylethal 12]

You'd have to see which is your Brazilian consulate (in your jurisdiction) and go to their website to see about forms and registering. I'm in Puerto Rico and my consulate is the Miami one, and on their site it already says limit date to register as a voter is over. Dunno if it's for all consulates or not.

[menina 50]

You'd have to see which is your Brazilian consulate (in your jurisdiction) and go to their website to see about forms and registering. I'm in Puerto Rico and my consulate is the Miami one, and on their site it already says limit date to register as a voter is over. Dunno if it's for all consulates or not.

Thanks. I think I found the right form, and yes it is past the date to register for this year. One more question. We did not get our marriage registered at the consulate within the 6 month time period. I was told that it was optional, and my husband was reluctant to deal with more government paperwork after all that we had been through with the visa and AOS. Plus I work full time and it is difficult to get time off to go to the consulate an hour away. Is there any way we can still register our marriage. We can do it in Brasil if necessary when we are visiting his family. Or is it too late since the 6 months have passed?

[Ladylethal 12]

I wouldn't know how to answer that. I haven't registered my marriage with the consulate or Brazil yet, as I wouldn't fly to Miami just for that and it must be done in person. Someone else might know this better but I think you need to register with the consulate first and then take to a cartorio in Brazil.