How to Vote from Overseas: A Guide for US Citizens Living Abroad

What US Expats Need to Know About Registering and Absentee Voting

If you are a U.S. citizen living overseas, you can still vote in U.S. elections. It doesn’t matter whether you moved abroad for work, retirement, study, or travel. Your right to vote moves with you. Yet millions of eligible Americans living outside the United States do not participate in federal elections. In most cases, the reason is not a lack of interest. It is confusion – about eligibility, deadlines, paperwork, or where to begin.

Voting from abroad is not complicated once you understand the process. To help make it easier, this guide explains how to vote while living abroad, including what elections you are eligible to participate in, how to register and request your ballot, what to do if problems arise, and where to find trusted, nonpartisan help.

Can US Citizens Living Abroad Vote?

Yes. Under federal law, U.S. citizens living outside the country have the right to vote absentee in federal elections. That right is protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

UOCAVA guarantees eligible overseas citizens the right to vote in federal elections for:

• President and Vice President
• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives

In addition, depending on the rules in your state, you may also be eligible to vote in:

• Governor
• State legislature
• State ballot initiatives
• Certain local offices

Each state administers its own elections, so rules for state and local ballots vary. But your right to vote in federal elections is protected nationwide.

Why Voting from Abroad Matters

Living abroad does not sever your connection to the United States. As a U.S. citizen overseas, you still:

• Hold a U.S. passport
• Benefit from U.S. legal protections
• Maintain financial and family ties
• Remain subject to certain U.S. laws and obligations

Decisions made by elected officials in Washington affect Americans everywhere, including those living overseas.

Federal elections determine who writes federal laws, approves budgets, confirms key appointments, and exercises oversight authority.

Members of Congress are central to maintaining the constitutional system of checks and balances, the structure designed to prevent any one branch of government from concentrating too much power. Those structural responsibilities do not stop at the water’s edge.

That said, participation among overseas voters remains low. Federal data from the 2022 midterm elections estimated:

• Approximately 4.4 million U.S. citizens lived overseas
• About 2.8 million were of voting age
• Only about 3.4% returned a ballot

More than 10% requested ballots, but far fewer completed and returned them.

In closely contested elections, even relatively small numbers of ballots can matter. Overseas voters can make a difference, particularly in federal races decided by narrow margins.

Voting is not legally mandatory, but it remains one of the most direct ways citizens shape the direction of their government and remain connected to democratic institutions.

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Do You Need to Own Property or Maintain a US Address?

No. One of the most common misunderstandings about overseas voting is the belief that you must own property or maintain a current U.S. residence.

You do not need to:

• Own property in the United States
• Maintain a current U.S. address
• Have voted previously
• Have lived in the U.S. recently

To vote from abroad, you use your last U.S. residential address before moving overseas. That address determines your voting state and local jurisdiction.

Your ballot will be sent to your overseas mailing address. Even if you have lived abroad for many years, you retain your right to vote in federal elections.

How to Vote While Living Abroad: 3 Basic Steps

The absentee voting process is structured and consistent across states, even though specific deadlines vary.

The process applies to civilian overseas voters as well as eligible military voters:

Step 1: Register and Request Your Ballot

To vote from overseas, you must complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

The FPCA allows you to:

• Register to vote (if needed)
• Request an absentee ballot

When completing the FPCA, you will provide:

• Your last U.S. residential address
• Your current overseas mailing address
• Your email address
• Identification information (often the last four digits of your Social Security number or a state-issued ID number)

Many overseas voters submit a new FPCA each calendar year to ensure they receive ballots for all elections held that year.

Starting early gives your state election office time to process your request.

Step 2: Receive Your Ballot

Once your request is approved, your state election office will send your ballot.

Ballots are typically delivered:

• By email (in most states), or
• By postal mail

Many states allow electronic ballot delivery but require you to print, complete, and physically return your ballot.

Be sure to read your state’s instructions carefully, as deadlines and return methods vary.

Step 3: Return Your Completed Ballot

After marking your ballot, return it according to your state’s instructions.

Important points to remember:

• Your ballot must begin its return journey from outside the United States.
• Do not ask someone inside the U.S. to mail it for you.
• Pay attention to postmark deadlines and receipt requirements.

International mail can take time, so early submission reduces risk.

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Where to Request Your Overseas Ballot

There are two widely used and reputable ways to complete the FPCA and request your absentee ballot.

Both options ultimately connect you with your state election office, which issues and counts ballots:

Option 1: The Official US Government Website (FVAP)

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is the official U.S. government resource for overseas and military voters.

The FVAP is:

• Operated by the Department of Defense
• Provides state-by-state voting instructions
• Hosts the FPCA form
• Explains ballot delivery and return options
• Offers information about backup ballots

FVAP does not run elections or count votes. It provides guidance and tools to help you interact with your state election office.

Option 2: US Vote Foundation and Overseas Vote Foundation

The U.S. Vote Foundation and its affiliated Overseas Vote Foundation are nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that assist voters worldwide.

These organizations:

• Offer user-friendly online ballot request tools
• Generate the same legally required FPCA form
• Provide step-by-step instructions
• Direct your request to your state election office
  

If you prefer a nonprofit interface with guided assistance, these sites may be helpful.

Federal vs. State Ballots: Understanding the Difference

The U.S. Constitution gives states authority over election administration. At the same time, federal law protects the right of overseas citizens to vote in federal elections.

As a result:

• Your right to vote in federal elections is guaranteed nationwide.
• Eligibility for state and local elections depends on your state’s residency rules.

Some states provide overseas voters with a full ballot that includes state and local races. Others may issue a federal-only ballot, depending on your status.

If you are unsure of your eligibility to vote in state elections, focus first on ensuring you are registered to vote in federal elections. That right is protected everywhere.

What If Your Ballot Does Not Arrive?

If you requested a ballot but do not receive it in time, you may use a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup option.

The FWAB is available through both FVAP and the U.S. Vote Foundation. This safeguard helps ensure that overseas voters are not excluded due to mailing delays or administrative issues.

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Common Myths About Voting from Abroad

“I cannot vote because I do not own property in the United States.”

You do not need to own property to vote.

“I have lived abroad too long to vote.”
The length of time you have been abroad does not eliminate your federal voting rights.

“I must have voted before.”
You can register and vote as a first-time voter.

“I can choose which state to vote in.”
You must vote in the state where you last established residence before moving abroad.

“Voting will trigger state tax liability.”
Voting in federal elections alone cannot be used to establish state tax residency.

“Overseas ballots are not counted.”
All valid ballots received by the deadline must be counted under state and federal law.

When Should You Apply?

Apply as early as possible each calendar year.

Election calendars vary by state. Starting early:

• Reduces stress
• Allows time to correct errors
• Helps ensure your ballot arrives on time
• Provides time for return mail

Even if Election Day feels distant, international timelines can be unpredictable.

Trusted Resources for Americans Abroad

For reliable, up-to-date information, use one of these trusted, nonpartisan resources:

• Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)
• U.S. Vote Foundation
• Overseas Vote Foundation

These sites provide state-specific deadlines, eligibility guidance, and step-by-step assistance.

Final Thoughts: Staying Engaged from Abroad

As an American living overseas, you remain part of the civic community of the United States.

Federal elections determine the full membership of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate in midterm years.

These institutions exercise legislative authority and oversight responsibilities within the constitutional system of checks and balances.

Participation is a choice, but the right to vote is one of the clearest ways citizens remain connected to the institutions that represent them.

Taking time to register to vote and request your ballot ensures your voice is included – wherever in the world you live.

Voting from abroad is protected by law, supported by trusted resources, and entirely possible with a bit of planning.

About the Author: Kathryn Sikkink is a professor of public policy and international affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. On this topic, see Sikkink’s book, The Hidden Face of Rights: Toward a Politics of Responsibility (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2020). Much of the material in this article draws on the websites of the US Vote Foundation and Overseas Vote Foundation.

About the Author Kathryn Sikkink is a professor of public policy and international affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. On this topic, see Sikkink’s book, The Hidden Face of Rights: Toward a Politics of Responsibility (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2020). Much of the material in this article draws on the websites of the US Vote Foundation and Overseas Vote Foundation.