Expats Can Celebrate Their Right to Vote on Independence Day Meghan Kelly - FVAP.gov
June 29, 2018

FVAP is a Department of Defense agency that works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world. (Federal Voting Assistance Program)

To help Americans vote - wherever they are - the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is sponsoring Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Citizens Voters Week from June 25 to July 5 with support from the Military Services and Department of State. During the week, U.S. military installations, embassies, consulates, and overseas citizens groups offer voter registration opportunities as part of Independence Day celebrations.

FVAP recommends voters use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), available at FVAP.gov, to register to vote and request an absentee ballot by Aug. 1 to ensure they can participate in the General Election on Nov. 6. The sooner voters register and request their ballot, the greater the likelihood they can successfully vote. That is because ballots must be sent back before individual state deadlines, which vary.

“Using the FPCA is the easiest way for overseas citizens, Service members, and their families stationed away from home to register and request a ballot,” FVAP Director David Beirne said. “The FPCA not only allows these voters to register and request an absentee ballot simultaneously, it also guarantees certain benefits under federal law.”

Voters can visit FVAP.gov for their state’s specific voter registration and ballot request deadlines, as well as information on completing their FPCA, which is accepted by all states and territories. Voters can fill out the form by hand or use the online assistant before they print, sign and send the FPCA to their election office.

The voting rights of 2.6 million U.S. citizens living overseas, as well as Service members and their eligible family, are protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). About 95 percent of the 1.3 million Service members are eligible to vote absentee through the UOCAVA process since they are stationed away from their voting residence and polling place.

For additional information, visit FVAP.gov, email vote@fvap.gov or call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683).



The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization that works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, and election officials from the 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. State and local governments administer U.S. elections, including those for federal offices. FVAP supports state and local election officials by providing absentee voting information, materials, training and guidance.

Voters can contact FVAP's call center at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683), DSN 425-1584 or at vote@fvap.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at FVAP.gov. Find FVAP on Facebook  and follow @FVAP on Twitter. 

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