VOTING OVERSEAS

VOTING OVERSEAS IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Absentee Ballot

To vote with an absentee ballot there are two basic steps:
1. Register and request an Absentee Ballot
2. Receive, complete, and return ballot to your Election Office
    • You will need to fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and send it to your election office.
    • You should request your ballot as soon as possible as each state has different voter registration deadlines.
      • You can check yours here.
    • Depending on your state you can send the FPCA via email, mail, or fax 
      • Go to FVAP.gov to find your state’s absentee voting information
    • You should confirm with your election office that your FPCA has been received
      • You can find your election office’s contact information at FVAP.gov
    • Once it is received, your ballot will either be emailed or mailed to you (this depends on your state).
    • Filling out the ballot:
      • When listing your address you should list whatever your last known address is in the U.S.
        • It does not matter if you no longer live there or if someone else lives there.
        • You may not list a P.O. Box as an address
      • Your ballot must be signed and dated
    • Sending your ballot (options vary state to state so check yours here):
      • Email
      • Mail
        • You can pay the postage to send your ballot through Correos or drop off your ballot at the Madrid or Barcelona Consulates to send your ballot via the diplomatic pouch for free. Madrid Consulate walk-in hours are from 8AM-2PM and Barcelona Consulate walk-in hours are from 9AM-3PM.
      • Fax
        • If your state allows you to fax but not email your ballot, you can email a scan of your signed and dated ballot to fax@fvap.gov and they will fax it for you.
      • Cut-off dates for receiving ballots via fax vary state to state so you should check yours.

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

If you have not received your ballot either via post or email 35 days before the election, you may vote as a backup using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

    • To get an FWAB, use the online assistant at FVAP.gov to complete the FWAB. The online assistant uses your state’s requirements as you go through the process of completing the FWAB. Then, download the PDF package, print, sign, and send via post.
    • If your election office receives both the FWAB and your absentee ballot they will only count one.