Absentee voting information for U.S. citizens abroad

U.S. citizens can get an absentee ballot by mail, email, fax, or downloading it from the internet. This varies by state.  

To vote from abroad, begin at the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website. An online assistant will guide you through the process. Visit FVAP.gov to find more information. 

U.S. voting eligibility 
Most U.S. citizens aged 18 or older living abroad can vote absentee. This applies to federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. Some states also allow U.S. citizens living abroad to vote for local and state office candidates, and on referendums. 

For information about your state, visit the Voting Assistance Guide. 

In some states, U.S. citizens who are 18 years or older and were born abroad can vote absentee, even if they have never lived in the United States. Contact your local election officials for questions about eligibility.

Absentee Voting for U.S. Citizens Abroad – The Basics
Absentee voting for U.S. citizens abroad is a 2-step process: 

1. Submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election officials each year

• Submit your FPCA at the beginning of the calendar year, or at least 45 days before an election. This allows enough time to process your request and resolve any problems.  
• Once your FPCA is received, local officials will: 
  • Confirm your eligibility to vote. 
  • Put your name on a list to receive absentee ballots for any elections held that calendar year. 
  • Send you a blank absentee ballot electronically, by fax or by mail. 

2. Complete and return the ballot

• Make sure it arrives before your state's ballot return deadline. See below for options on returning your completed ballot, including via the U.S. embassy or consulate.  
• If you have not received your blank ballot 30 days before an election, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote. 

Process to vote abroad

Register and request an absentee ballot
You must be registered with your state’s election officials to request and receive an absentee ballot. You can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to both register with your state and request an absentee ballot.  

• You should submit a new FPCA each year, every time you move, or whenever you change your address, email, or name. 
• You can get an FPCA and your state’s requirements from U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. You can also find them at many overseas U.S. citizen civic or political groups. 
• You can return your FPCA by mail. Most states allow you to send in your FPCA by fax or email.  

Consult the online Voting Assistance Guide for your state’s current instructions. For help with the form, contact the voting assistance officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Verify your voter registration
Please write, email, or call local election officials directly. 

Receive your blank absentee ballot
Your state will usually send you a blank ballot at least 45 days before the November elections. You will get it by email, fax, mail or online download based on the address on your FPCA. 

Ballots usually go out 30 days before primary, special, and run-off elections. You might get absentee ballots for all elections or just for federal offices. This depends on your state and your status abroad. 

Vote and return your ballot 
Complete your ballot with precision, ensuring it is legible, and submit it well in advance. Make sure to return it to local election officials in time to meet your state’s deadline. 

Overseas voters can return completed ballots through: 

• Local mail – If you have a reliable mail service to the United States, mail your ballot with appropriate international postage. 
• U.S. embassy diplomatic pouch – You or someone else can drop off your ballot request (FPCA) or filled-out ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They will send it back to the United States. You must address it to your local election officials and include enough U.S. postage. You can also place it in a postage-paid envelope (available on the FVAP website). Contact the U.S. embassy voting assistance officer for more information. You can also check the embassy’s website for specific instructions. 
• Fax, e-mail, or Internet – Some states permit electronic transmission of completed ballots. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for options in your state. 
• Express carrier service – If you're short on time or local mail isn't reliable, you can use services like FedEx, DHL, or UPS.  NOTE: Express carriers do not deliver to P.O. boxes. 

When to use an emergency write-in ballot
If you completed all required steps and still don’t have your ballot 30 days before an election, submit a completed Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

• Contact the voting assistance officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help. 
• Visit the FVAP website to complete an FWAB using the online assistant.  
• Write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the FWAB to your local election officials.  

If your official absentee ballot comes after you send in a FWAB, complete and return it anyway. Your FWAB counts only if your regular ballot doesn’t reach local officials by the state’s deadline. Only one ballot will be counted.  

Voting and taxes
Voting for federal candidates does not affect your federal or state tax liability. Voting for state or local candidates could affect your state tax liability.  

Consult legal counsel if you have questions.