Your vote counts! Did you know that many U.S. elections for house and senate have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by absentee voters? All states are required to count every valid absentee ballot that reaches election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline.
Registering to Vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world!
Start by confirming your voter registration with your state. Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register. Go to FVAP.gov to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more. Once you confirm your registration, click on the “Voting Steps” button below to follow a few steps to make your vote count in the elections.
Researching the Candidates and Issues: Online Resources. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov.
Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please reach out via VoteHanoi@state.gov in the Northern part of Vietnam and VoteHoChiMinhCity@state.gov in the Southern part of Vietnam.
Remember, your vote counts!
Frequently Asked Questions for Absentee Voters
Q: What is my U.S. voting address?
A: Your U.S. voting residence address is used to determine where you are eligible to vote. For military voters, it is usually the last address you lived at in your state of legal residence, and is typically the same address listed on your Leave and Earnings Statement. For overseas citizens, it is usually the last place you lived in the U.S. before moving overseas. You do not need to have any current ties with this address.
Q: How can I send my Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
A: UOCAVA voters may have the option to submit their voting materials by mail, fax, or email. They can check their state’s specific voting guidelines by selecting their state.
Q: Should I plan to vote at the embassy or consulate?
A: No. Elections are run at the state and local level. You must communicate directly with your state to register, request a ballot, and vote. Most embassies and consulates will help you to fill out the FPCA and FWAB, but they are not polling places.
Q: When will I get my ballot?
A: Election offices are required to send absentee ballots at least 45 days before a federal election. If you requested your ballot by email, then the ballot should arrive right away. Mailed ballots will take longer to arrive depending on the postal system in the country where you are located.
Please click here to find the answers to frequently asked questions about absentee voting.
