2. How do I register to vote or request a ballot as a US citizen living abroad?

A US citizen living (or working or traveling) outside the US can submit a one-page form, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), to register to vote and request their ballot. As an overseas voter, you will also need to send in the same form in subsequent years to request your ballot for every calendar year in which you wish to vote. 

After your FPCA is accepted, your state will send you a ballot for every election you are eligible to vote in for the remainder of the calendar year, including any primary, general, or special elections.

It only takes 5-10 minutes to fill out and submit your FPCA:

1. VoteFromAbroad (VFA) will assist you in filling out and submitting your FPCA to your Local Election Official in the US.
   
   ​*We highly recommend you check the box on the form to request your blank ballot be sent to you by email/online or fax — you won't have to worry about your blank ballot being lost or delayed in the mail or if you move.
   
   
2. Submit your completed and signed FPCA to your Local Election Official in the US.
   
   The instructions will provide the applicable contact information and will indicate whether your state accepts the form by email or fax as well as mail (most states do). 
   
   — To submit your FPCA by mail, you must print out and SIGN the completed form.
   
   — To submit your FPCA by fax, you may either print the completed form, or follow the instructions to photograph your signature and attach it to the form online. Then you can print the form and fax it to your election office in the US. Or you can submit the signed form directly from your device to your election office using an service or app that converts emails to fax. For more information on how to submit by fax when you don't have access to a fax machine, please see How do I send in my FPCA or ballot if I don't have access to a fax machine?
   
   — To submit your FPCA by email, you may either print and sign the completed form, or follow the instructions to photograph your signature and attach it to the form online. Then you can use "Email now" to submit FPCA directly to your election office in the US. Or, use "Email later" to download the form to send in as an email attachment. 
   
   
3. After sending in the form, be sure to email or call your Local Election Official to verify they received it and will be sending you a ballot.
   
   The applicable contact information is in the printed instructions included with your completed FPCA. You can also look up the contact information at: www.VoteFromAbroad.org/states (scroll down to “Find Your Election Office”).
   
   This final step is very important! Only your election office can process your form and send out your ballot. They aren't required to contact you to confirm receipt; it's up to you to follow-up to ensure you'll get your ballot.
   

Still have questions? Click on the red icon in the lower right corner to email our team.