How to Vote in Presidential Elections When You're Out of the Country
- 1). Visit a U.S. Embassy or consulate office in the country where you are residing. Ask for a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This is the form that must be filled out to vote in a presidential election if you are out of the country.
- 2). Obtain the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online if you cannot get to an embassy or consulate office.
- 3). Complete the FPCA and mail it to your local election officials. If you do not have any ties to your last state of residence, there are 16 states that allow you to register and vote where a parent votes. Voting eligibility and residency requirements for each state are on the FVAP.go website.
- 4). Send the FPCA at least 45 days before the election. Typically ballots are sent to overseas voters between 30 and 45 days before an election.
- 5). Fill out an emergency ballot if you do not get your official ballot in time. Your local embassy or consulate office will have an emergency ballot, called a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), that can be filled out in absence of a regular ballot. Some states require that it be witnessed, so be sure to check with your consulate or embassy.
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