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 either 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 visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Voting Assistance Guide for information on your specific state. Start the process now to make sure you receive your ballots in time to vote.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) can help you access, complete and print all the forms you will need to complete your registration. You will need to create an account, and you’ll still need to print, sign and mail the final form.

Note: Due to a recent change in federal law, overseas voters will have to request an absentee ballot every calendar year. So, for example, even if you complete your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to participate in the November elections, you will need to complete another one in January to participate in federal primaries and special elections the following year.

Absentee Voting

Follow these three 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. Visit the FVAP to find the mailing address for your local election official and state-by-state absentee voting instructions. You can mail your FPCA 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 federal election that calendar year. Some states will even e-mail or fax you your 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.