The measure will come into effect on November 2nd and will allow identity documents to be renewed on a first-come, first-served basis or through a hybrid system that will combine scheduled appointments and walk-in service
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Central Electoral Board (JCE) will eliminate the appointment system in certain overseas offices starting November 2nd, as part of the new service modalities for Dominicans who need to renew their identity card and the identity and electoral card.
According to the institution, at the selected offices users will be received in order of arrival, provided there are available appointments and the operational conditions allow the service to be offered.
Likewise, the entity will implement a dual or hybrid model in other departments, which will allow it to serve both those who have booked an appointment and those who show up without prior scheduling.
Offices that will serve on a first-come, first-served basis
The JCE explained that the elimination of appointments will be applied in certain Offices of Services Abroad (OSE), satellite offices and fixed points.
In that sense, the OSEs included in this provision are those of Atlanta, Montreal (Canada), Panama, Curacao, Valencia and the Netherlands.
Similarly, the measure will cover satellite offices located in Springfield, Massachusetts; Ottawa, Canada; Chicago, Illinois; Mexico City; Tampa, Florida; Aruba; Genoa, Italy; and Seville, Spain.
Meanwhile, the fixed locations in Waterbury, Connecticut, and Providencia, Chile, will also receive citizens under this scheme.
However, service will be subject to the number of available appointments and the operational capacity of each office, so the availability of the service may vary between offices.
Departments that will implement the hybrid model
In the other selected locations, the institution will maintain a system that combines scheduled appointments with walk-in service.
Under this system, people who have booked an appointment will be served at the chosen time, while those who come without an appointment will have to wait their turn, subject to the availability and resources of each office.
This mechanism will be implemented in the OSEs of New York, New Jersey, Boston, Reading, Washington, Philadelphia, Providence, California, Puerto Rico, Miami, Orlando, Saint Martin, Vitacura (Chile), Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and Zurich.
In addition, it will extend to satellite offices in the Bronx, New York; Perth Amboy, New Jersey; Lawrence, Massachusetts; and Houston, Texas.
As for the fixed locations, these will include Long Island, New York; Camden, New Jersey; and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
JCE approves guidelines for organizing the service
As part of this reorganization, the plenary of the Central Electoral Board approved the Instructions for the organization and attention of citizens in the process of renewing the identity card and the identity and electoral card in the OSE, satellite offices and fixed points.
The document contains the operational guidelines for coordinating the reception and assistance of citizens during the renewal of their identity documents at the Dominican Voting Abroad offices.
In this way, the Board establishes two service mechanisms, the application of which will depend on the characteristics and operational possibilities of each office, with the purpose of organizing the flow of users during the registration process.
Recommended readings:
- Renewing your ID card will be easier: JCE eliminates restrictions during weekends and holidays
- This is the step-by-step guide to scheduling an appointment and obtaining your new identity card
- JCE will temporarily close offices in the United States and Canada for training in preparation for ID card renewal
