Retiring to Europe

[ladelfina]

the state sent me the whole ballot, including local races. I suspect they may not even have separate federal-only ballots printed.

I carefully only voted for the federal election

This was my experience as well, bpp3, and I did as you did.
[However it would be difficult to prove I did NOT vote in local races.. maybe next time I should make a copy of the ballot? That wouldn't prove anything since I could always fill it in after..]

Usually the burden of proof falls on the accuser to prove someone is doing wrong. W/r/t state taxation of non-residents this concept is apparently turned on its head. :-ppp

[nun]

There's explicit language in the laws regarding voting in Federal elections that it cannot be used in determining your tax status, but I agree that if the state election forms are attached to the federal and the state sends you them it might be difficult to prove that you only voted in the Federal elections. When I move I won't be registering to vote in US elections.

[Freein05]

Your health care may also not be free. I know Germany requires everyone to pay into the national or private health insurance program. It is less than the US but there is a cost.