VOTING ABROAD
Give up your right to vote just because you’re not in America? Forget it! Make your voice heard from across the ocean! Just make sure you plan ahead so you have everything you need to exercise this important right while abroad.
General Information
Registering
Absentee Ballot
More Information
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Most American citizens living or studying outside of the United States are eligible to participate via absentee ballot in federal elections. You may also be eligible to vote in state primaries, run-off elections, and special elections that occur throughout the year. But first, you must register to vote with your local election officials in the U.S.! To exercise your civic duty, take the time to request a ballot well in advance of your trip.
Already overseas and forgot to register? Not to worry—you can take care of it from abroad too.
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REGISTERING
You can’t vote online, but you can find all the forms and information you’ll need to register and request an absentee ballot on the Internet. Your voting residence is usually your college or your parents’ address, unless you’ve moved away from home and registered to vote elsewhere. Every state has its own procedures and deadlines, so look them up. Start the process now to make sure you receive your ballots in time to vote.
You can access, complete, and print all the forms you need at www.fvap.com. Yes, that’s DOT COM. You will need to create an account, and you’ll still need to print, sign and mail the final form.
Absentee Voting
Follow these four simple steps to prepare for your overseas voting experience.
1. Complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. Send it to local election officials in the state where you were living before going overseas. Find the mailing address for your local election official in the state-by-state instructions. You cam mail you FPCA for free from any U.S. embassy or consulate. Check your state's instructions to find out if you can e-mail or fax your FPCA.
2. After your state's officials approve your request, they will send you absentee ballots for each election during the calendar year. Some states will even e-mail or fax you absentee ballot.
3. Vote! Complete the ballot and send it back in time to meet your state's deadlines. Learn more about your state’s procedures and deadlines.
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ABSENTEE BALLOT
Absent absentee ballot?
If you have requested an absentee ballot, but you haven’t received it within three weeks of your state’s ballot receipt deadline, you may be eligible to use a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)—also known as "an emergency ballot." If you are already overseas, contact the Voting Assistance Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for help, or download the ballot here, write in the candidates of your choice, and mail it to your local election officials. If your ballot does arrive later, you should fill it out and mail it back too.
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MORE INFORMATION
Inform yourself: Learn about the candidates and their positions. Both major political parties have organizations for voters abroad. Check out www.democratsabroad.org and www.republicansabroad.org for more information.
Each state has specific rules and regulations that you’ll need to follow in order to successfully vote absentee. Find your state.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program can answer any questions you may have.
If you are already overseas and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for personal assistance.