Expatriate Voting in US Federal and State Elections

Information and Links to Aid in Registration

Federal law allows citizens abroad and citizens in the uniformed services to register to vote only in the state that they last resided.
If you never lived in the USA, you may be able to vote using the address where your American parent(s) last lived. To make sure of your eligibility go to Can I Vote? and find out if you can vote!

In this section of The Expat Advisor, we provide a choice of three ways to register so that you may vote from outside the USA.

1. Automated Registration Form (print out and mail):

This option takes you step-by-step through the process of registering and requesting an absentee ballot.

You will be led through several screens of customized questions. Be sure to consult the left column of each screen for instructions, explanations, and any error messages.

This process takes just five easy steps:

  1. Answer all questions on each screen.
  2. Download the completed form, or e-mail it to yourself.
  3. Print the completed form.*
  4. Sign and date the form.
  5. Mail the signed form. You can also fax it (optional).

Proceed to the Wizard

* Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. If you do not have it, or are not sure, download the latest version here.

2. Do It Yourself: Federal Voting Assistance Program

The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides access to absentee voting information to US citizens who are UOCAVA citizens who, by definition, are members of the US Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard), merchant marines, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their family members, and citizens outside the United States.

3. Automated Form (print out and mail):

This option is provided by the Overseas Vote Foundation and provides Non-partisan voter services for US citizens overseas and uniformed services members.

The three options provided above for expatriate voter registration are developed by (1) Democrats Abroad, the overseas branch of the Democratic Party, (2) the US Department of Defense, (3) Overseas Vote Foundation, allied with Google, Pew Charitable Trusts and the National Defense Committee, among others. All options are open to all Americans regardless of party affiliation. Voting in federal elections cannot be used to affect the determination of federal or state tax liability.

Quick List of Ten Things to Ensure Your Absentee Vote is Counted

  1. Start by contacting your Unit/Embassy/Organization Voting Assistance Officer for help in absentee registration and voting.
  2. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website for information on the Absentee registration and voting process.
  3. Ensure that you applied for your absentee ballot using hard copy or online versions of the Federal Post Card Application (FCPA).
  4. Make sure your local election official has your current mailing address.
  5. Sign and date all election materials.
  6. Fulfill your state’s witness/notary requirements (if required).
  7. Ensure that your ballot or FPCA is postmarked.
  8. Register to vote and request your ballot in a timely manner - not later than September.
  9. VOTE - mail your ballot not later than October 15th of the election year.
  10. Use the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) if you are overseas and your State absentee ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by the state’s deadline.

Voting Registration and Assistance Links

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