2. How do I send in my ballot by email?
It’s very easy to return your voted ballot as an email attachment — it’s fast, free, and you don't have to worry that your ballot will be lost or arrive after the deadline to vote. You also keep the original ballot, so there’s always a paper trail.
You should always follow the specific instructions in your state’s ballot materials, but the basic steps are:
- If you received your ballot materials by email, print out your ballot and any required supporting documents that will need to be returned with your ballot (as set out your ballot instructions).
- Fill out your ballot and the supporting documents, and sign as indicated in the instructions. (You will need to sign a waiver of your right to a secret ballot as your ballot will not be sealed when you send it in.)
- Photograph or scan your marked ballot and the supporting materials. Save the file on your device. (If you don't have the ability to photograph or scan your documents, you can look for a local service. Search for "printing shops near me." Or, try a library, local shops, or ask friends.)
- Send an email to your Local Election Office and include the saved file as an email attachment.
- Your Local Election Official will separate your identifying information from your vote as soon as possible. Your ballot won’t be sealed, but no one should be able to see how you voted.
After you send in your voted ballot, be sure to verify that it was received and counted! You can contact your Local Election Official directly for confirmation. Also, many states have websites to track your ballot return, although the website information may not be as up-to-date as information directly from your Local Election Official. You can find contact information and, if available, links to state ballot tracking state websites at: www.VoteFromAbroad.org/states (scroll down to “Find Your Election Office” and “Where Is My Ballot?”).
Still have questions? Click on the red icon in the lower right corner to email our team.