Voting from abroad: What to know
(NewsNation) — With the 2024 U.S. election just weeks away, here is everything you need to know if you are an American living outside the U.S. and want to vote.
Republicans have filed lawsuits in several states challenging aspects of overseas voting. In Pennsylvania, a group of Republican members of Congress is seeking stricter verification of overseas voters’ identities and eligibility.
The Republican National Committee has filed suits in Michigan and North Carolina, arguing that these states should not allow overseas voters who have never lived there to cast ballots.
These legal challenges are part of a broader strategy by Republicans to scrutinize voting procedures, particularly those affecting groups presumed to lean Democratic. Critics argue these efforts could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters, including military personnel serving abroad.
In most cases, ballots to overseas voters have already been mailed, but you can use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup option.
Who can vote from abroad?
Most U.S. citizens 18 years or older who reside outside the United States can vote absentee for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. This includes:
Americans temporarily living abroad (such as students and workers)
U.S. citizens permanently residing in other countries
Members of the U.S. military and their eligible family members stationed overseas
In some states, U.S. citizens who are 18 years or older and were born abroad but have never resided in the United States are also eligible to vote absentee
How many Americans vote from abroad?
According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), an estimated 2.9 million U.S. citizens of voting age were living overseas as of 2022. However, turnout among these voters has historically been low.
In the 2020 election, states reported transmitting more than 1.2 million ballots to overseas and military voters, with about 900,000 of those ballots being returned and counted.
Dates and deadlines for overseas voting
While specific deadlines vary by state, here are some general guidelines for overseas voters:
January 2024: Submit your FPCA to ensure you’re registered and will receive ballots for all 2024 elections
September 21, 2024 (approximately): States begin sending out ballots to overseas and military voters for the general election
November 5, 2024 (Election Day): Your completed ballot must be received by your state’s deadline, which in many cases is on or shortly after this date
The deadlines for requesting absentee ballots for U.S. citizens living abroad fall several weeks before the election date. The exact deadlines vary by state, but they are often in early to mid-October.
For specific state guidelines and deadlines, check the deadline for your ballot based on your state.
What is your ‘voting residence‘?
For voting purposes, your “voting residence” is generally the last place you lived in the U.S. before moving abroad. This address determines which state and local elections you can participate in. You don’t need to maintain any current ties to this address or own property there to use it for voting.
If you’re a U.S. citizen born abroad who has never lived in the U.S., you may be able to use a parent’s last U.S. residence address to register and vote.
Here’s how to determine your voting residence.
The voting process for overseas citizens
Voting from abroad is generally a two-step process but varies by state as well:
Step 1: Register and request a ballot
Overseas voters must submit a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each year to vote in U.S. elections. This form serves both as a voter registration and an absentee ballot request. It’s recommended to submit the FPCA at the beginning of each calendar year or at least 45 days before an election.
You can complete the FPCA online through the FVAP website or obtain a copy from U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
Step 2: Receive and return your ballot
States are required to send out ballots to overseas and military voters at least 45 days before federal elections. Depending on your state and your preferences, you may receive your blank ballot by email, fax or postal mail.
Once you receive your ballot, complete it carefully and return it as soon as possible to ensure it arrives before your state’s deadline. Methods for returning your completed ballot may include:
Local mail service
U.S. Embassy diplomatic pouch
Fax or email (allowed in some states)
Express courier services (e.g., FedEx, DHL)
If you haven’t received your ballot 30 days before the election, you can use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup option.
Resources for overseas voters
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)
Your local U.S. embassy or consulate
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
