Thomas Jefferson's words are never more apt than now, especially for the 9 million Americans living overseas.

Shape Your Future

Vote From Abroad is a non-partisan platform that helps US citizens vote from abroad by producing the necessary Federal forms. In using this site, only the information necessary for filling out Federal forms related to voting as US citizen overseas is collected. Your data privacy is our top concern.

About VoteFromAbroad.org

Vote From Abroad has one goal - to make sure every US citizen abroad has the information and tools you need to easily vote from abroad.

By using our online tools you are able to generate and send to your local election office in the States a Federal Postcard Application which notifies your local officials that you are abroad and that you’d like to vote in this calendar year.

We provide assistance to voters who are US citizens living outside the US, and to members of the military and merchant marines, as well as their families. We help voters request their ballots in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we hear most as we help voters abroad register and request their ballot.

If you have a question that isn't answered here, please drop by for live one-to-one Global Voter Assistance via Zoom.

We'd love to hear from you!

Voting as a U.S. Citizen Outside the U.S.

I live outside the US, am I eligible to vote in US elections?
Can I vote in state and local elections?
Can I vote in primary elections?
Can I vote in midterm (non-presidential) elections?

Returning a Voted Ballot

What do I need to do to return my voted ballot?
How can I mail in my voted ballot by the deadline?
If my state allows it, should I return my voted ballot electronically?

Using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

It's getting close to the election and I haven't received my blank ballot yet. What should I do?

How to Register to Vote and Get a Ballot

How do I register to vote or request a ballot as a US Citizen living abroad?
I'm already a registered voter and/or my state always sends my blank ballot, why should I send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
Why should I submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) rather than my state's in-state absentee ballot request form?
Why should I use VoteFromAbroad.org rather than fill out the paper Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by hand?
Why do I need to send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request my ballot every calendar year?

U.S. Citizens Who Have Never Resided in the U.S.

Can I register to vote if I've never resided in the US?
I'm a US citizen and my voter registration was previously rejected because I've never resided in the US. What can I do?

Filling Out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

What should I use as my "Voting Address"?
I don't remember my last US address, how can I find it?
Can I register to vote in a different state?
What are the implications of indicating "my return is uncertain" or "I intend to return"?
Is it better to choose to receive my blank ballot by email/online, fax or mail?
I filled out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) on votefromabroad.org, so now I'm registered to vote, right?
How do I check if I am registered to vote and my ballot request was received so that I'll receive an overseas ballot?
I've submitted my federal post card application (FPCA) and verified I'll get a ballot, what happens next?
I'm ready to get started with VoteFromAbroad.org: Why do you ask for my email address or mobile phone number? What is an "anonymous session"?

Federal and State Tax Implications

If I register to vote in US elections, will that make the IRS come calling?
Are there state income tax consequences if I indicate on my Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) that I "intend to return"?
My state sends me a full ballot (both state and federal elections). Do I protect myself from state income tax liability if I only vote for Federal offices?

Study Abroad Issues

I'm studying abroad for only one semester. Should I send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote or wait until I get back to the US?
I'm already registered to vote. Do I need to send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request my ballot while I'm studying abroad?
What should I use as my "US voting address" when I'm studying abroad?
If I send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), what happens when I return to the US?
What happens if I forget to update my address after I move back to the US and I get an overseas ballot?