The U.S. is truly a melting pot of so many races, ethnicities, languages, geographies, and perspectives. U.S. elections are important to build a strong democracy and have different perspectives be represented. They can determine rights for women, workers, access to services and more.
Whether you’ve traveled to countries that don’t have a democracy or the same freedoms. There are so many people around the world are fighting for their voices to be heard simply through voting. So even though we’re abroad doesn’t mean we still can’t do our civic duty with absentee voting! Here is your how to guide for how to absentee vote as a USA citizen living abroad.
Here are the 6 steps to absentee vote:
- Make sure you are registered to vote in whatever state you called home. I personally still use my moms address. If not, register to vote in your state/county.
- Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program to see your states guidelines on how to absentee vote for overseas citizens.
- Request an absentee ballot under the Federal Post Card application also known as “Form 76 or FPCA”
- You will need a printer, so doing this at your local library or workplace is ideal. You can also save the forms and complete it once you have a printer.
- Make sure you have Adobe Read version 6.0 or higher
- You can email or fax it to your local election official, you will need to still print it to physically sign and date it. (email and faxing is dependent on your state, this might not be eligible in certain states)
- If you need to mail it in, you will also need to purchase an envelope (Standard U.S. (#10 envelope 4 1/8in. by 9 1/2in.) or European standard C4 (229mm by 324mm)
- Once you fill out Form 76 – print, sign and date it.
- Scan and send via email or fax to your local election officials (they provide you the email and fax number)
- If mailing, download the envelope template and print it on your envelope and send to your local election official (they will provide you the address)
- Be aware of dates and mailing time!!
- Know what dates and deadlines you need to register to absentee vote by and when you need to send your ballot in. For this upcoming election on November 5, 2024 you will need to register by October 29, 2024. Make sure your ballot is returned by November 5th 8PM EST for it to be counted.
- Below is a guideline for recommended mailing dates in 2024
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot: 4 weeks before the election
Other Overseas locations: 4 weeks before the election (depending on foreign mail service)
Iraq, Afghanistan, Deployed Naval Vessels: 4 weeks before the election
Other Overseas Military Installations: 3 weeks before the election
Within the United States: 1 week before the election
6. Receive your absentee ballot and make your vote! You may not get your sticker, but you did your civic duty and you should feel good about that.
