How to Vote While Living Abroad

Every four years the United States presidential election takes control of the media waves as politics take center stage. Whether politics are an important aspect of your life or of fleeting significance, there is no doubt that the presidential election garners a lot of attention both in the U.S. and abroad. If you're a U.S. citizen, but are currently living outside the U.S., you may be wondering how you can make your vote count. Here’s how to vote absentee in an election while living abroad.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access
• Valid license or id card from your state of residence
• Social security number
• Valid address in your state of official residence
• Valid address in the country you will receive your ballot

Instructions

1. Check your rights, requirements and eligibility. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website (see Resources below) to determine what requirements are necessary for you to be eligible to vote. This website will provide both federal information and that according to state as well. The last state you resided in prior to leaving the U.S. is the state you will be eligible to vote in while living abroad.

2. Register to vote. On the FVAP website, click on the state that you last resided in when living in the U.S. This website is the official site for overseas voter registration and absentee voting assistance, and will guide you through the absentee ballot process according to state regulations.

3. Check your state's deadlines for registering to vote and receipt of absentee ballots by clicking through to your appropriate state. Be sure that you adhere to these important deadlines. You should give yourself at least 45 days, but in most cases, you can register and request an absentee ballot up to 5 days before the general election.

4. Apply for an absentee ballot. You may apply for an absentee ballot in several ways. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is available online at the FVAP website, or you can obtain a copy at your local U.S. embassy or consulate. You should submit an absentee ballot at least 52 days before the general election in order to receive your blank ballot in time to be counted.

5. Complete your FPCA form, making sure to sign and date it, and mail it to your local election officials. The form must be mailed to the election officials in the county of the state you are voting in to be properly processed.

6. Make your vote count. If the election is less than 45 days away and you haven’t received your absentee ballot or have yet to apply, you’ll need to download an emergency ballot from on the FVAP website. In most cases, emergency ballots need to be witnessed in order to be counted. Emergency ballots can only be used by registered voters, so make sure that you register to vote by the deadline.

Tips & Warnings

• All U.S. citizens who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to vote absentee in an election.

• By filling out one FPCA form, you will automatically receive all ballots for Federal offices for the following two Federal elections.

• It is recommended by the state that you submit a new FPCA form in January of every year that you are residing abroad.

Resources

• Residency Information
• Absentee Ballot Request
• Register and Vote Absentee
• Absentee Ballot Request Form
• Emergency Ballot Requests