Information for travelers

Frequently Asked Questions about Voting Overseas

Can I vote in a U.S. election if I live overseas?

Generally, all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who are or will be residing outside the United States during an election period are eligible to vote absentee in any election for Federal office. In addition, all members of the Uniformed Services, their family members and members of the Merchant Marine and their family members, who are U.S. citizens, may vote absentee in Federal, state and local elections.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is accepted by all states and territories as an application for registration and for absentee ballot. It is postage free when placed in the U.S. mail. You may also send a written request for a ballot to your county, city, town or parish clerk. The on-line version of the FPCA (OFPCA) is available at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website, www.fvap.gov, but must be completed, printed out, signed, dated and placed in an envelope affixed with proper postage, and mailed to your local election official. All States and Territories, with the exception of American Samoa, Guan and Ohio accept the OFPCA.

Can I register or vote in person at the embassy or consulate?

At the present time, there are no provisions for in-person voting or on-site registration to be conducted at U.S. embassies or consulates. U.S. embassy and consular officials will assist U.S. citizens in completing FPCA forms for their state, witness or notarize FPCA forms and ballots (if required), and provide other absentee voting information. U.S. embassy and consulate locations serve also as a mailing point where FPCA forms and other election materials may be mailed back, postage paid, to your local voting jurisdiction in the U.S. where absentee registration and ballot requests are processed.

If I do not maintain a legal residence in the U.S., what is my "legal state of residence?"

Your "legal state of residence" for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. This right extends to overseas citizens even though they may not have property or other ties in their last state or territory of residence and their intent to return to that state or territory may be uncertain. When completing the residence section of the FPCA, be sure to enter the entire mailing address of your last residence, including street or rural route and number. This information is necessary to place you in the proper voting district, ward, precinct or parish. Family members of citizens residing overseas, who are U.S. citizens and who have never resided in the U.S., usually, if the state allows, claim one of their U.S. citizen parent's legal state or territory of residence as their own.

Will I be taxed by my last state or territory of residence if I vote absentee?

Exercising your right to vote in elections for Federal offices only, does not affect the determination of residence or domicile for purposes of any tax imposed under Federal, state, or local law. Voting in an election for Federal office only, may not be used as the sole basis to determine residency for the purpose of imposing state and local taxes. If you claim a particular state or territory as your residence and have other ties with that state or territory in addition to voting, then you may be liable for state and local taxation, depending upon the laws of that particular state or territory. Consult a legal advisor for information on probable tax obligations.

Must I submit a separate application for each election?

In all states and territories, one FPCA will secure for the applicant both primary and general election ballots for Federal offices for an entire calendar year. The Help America Vote Act of October 2002 has extended the effective period of the FPCA through two regularly scheduled general elections for federal office. However, due to the transient nature of many UOCAVA citizens, FVAP continues to recommend that each citizen submit an FPCA to their state of legal residence in January of each year and again each time there is a change in the citizens mailing address.

If I am required to have my FPCA or ballot notarized, how do I do it?

Most states and territories do not require notarization of the FPCA or ballot.  If a notary seal is required, materials may be witnessed or sworn to before a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy.

When is the best time to apply for an absentee ballot?

Generally, the FPCA used to request only a ballot should be received by election officials at least forty-five days before election day to allow ample time to process the request and mail the ballot. If applying for both registration and an absentee ballot, the FPCA may have to be mailed earlier.

When should I receive my ballot?

Under normal circumstances, most states and territories begin mailing ballots to citizens 30-45 days before an election. If you have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) Ombudsman Service to assist in determining when your ballot was mailed. Always execute and return your absentee ballot regardless of when you receive it. Court decisions sometimes require the counting of ballots voted by Election Day, but received late. See also Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot below.

Where can I obtain information on issues and positions taken by candidates?

In addition to reading U.S. news magazines and newspapers and surfing the internet, both Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad maintain overseas offices and have information about their candidates and issues. The party organizations can be contacted by writing:

Democrats Abroad
430 South Capitol Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 863-8103
Fax: (202) 863-8063
World Wide Web: http://www.democratsabroad.org
Email: info@democratsabroad.org

Republicans Abroad International
209 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone: (202) 608-1423
Fax: (202) 608-1431
World Wide Web: http://www.republicansabroad.org
General Information Email: mail@republicansabroad.org
Voting Information Email: vote2004@republicansabroad.org

Where can I find information on state and local issues while overseas?

Surf the Web for information! Alternatively, you can subscribe to hometown newspapers, contact friends and relatives for information on state and local issues or monitor Armed Forces Radio and Television Service broadcasts and other American news and entertainment programs throughout the world.  In addition, the Department of Defense’s Voting Information Center (VIC), http://www.fvap.gov/services/vic.html, provides an avenue for information on candidates for citizens voting under the UOCAVA.