Voter Tools and Services Provided by U.S. Vote Foundation

Overseas Vote - Everything You Need to Vote From Abroad

As a U.S. citizen, your right to vote moves with you wherever you are in the world

If you are traveling, working, studying or living abroad you can vote as an overseas voter

It makes no difference if you are temporarily or indefinitely abroad - you can vote as an overseas voter

Overseas and military voters have federal voting rights, which offer special accommodations

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

I heard that US overseas voters must have voted before in the US to later vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

To register and request your overseas ballot, there is no previous voting requirement. You can even be a first-time voter!

Learn more.
Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Somehow I thought overseas voters had to have a "permanent" overseas address to vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

You can vote from outside of the US whether you're abroad temporarily or permanently.

Learn more.
Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

I assumed that to vote from abroad, overseas voters must also have a current address or own property in the US.

Here's the TRUTH:

There is no requirement to own property or have a current address in the US to vote from abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Someone said that if you vote from abroad you will be reported to your state tax office and get a tax bill.

Here's the TRUTH:

Voting in federal elections cannot be a basis for a state to assert tax liability on its overseas voters.

Learn more.
Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

I thought I could give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Overseas ballots must start their postal return and be postmarked from outside of the US.

Learn more.
Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

I read something about having to notarize my ballot or signature...

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Notarization is not required in any state or territory.

Learn more.
Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

I assume I can choose which state I vote in when I vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

Sorry, it's not a choice. You vote in the state where you last lived before moving abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

I heard that overseas and military ballots aren't actually counted.

Here's the TRUTH:

Phooey on that! It is illegal to not count and include all ballots received in order to certify the election.

Learn more.

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

I heard that US overseas voters must have voted before in the US to later vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

To register and request your overseas ballot, there is no previous voting requirement. You can even be a first-time voter!

Learn more.
Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Somehow I thought overseas voters had to have a "permanent" overseas address to vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

You can vote from outside of the US whether you're abroad temporarily or permanently.

Learn more.
Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

I assumed that to vote from abroad, overseas voters must also have a current address or own property in the US.

Here's the TRUTH:

There is no requirement to own property or have a current address in the US to vote from abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Someone said that if you vote from abroad you will be reported to your state tax office and get a tax bill.

Here's the TRUTH:

Voting in federal elections cannot be a basis for a state to assert tax liability on its overseas voters.

Learn more.
Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

I thought I could give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Overseas ballots must start their postal return and be postmarked from outside of the US.

Learn more.
Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

I read something about having to notarize my ballot or signature...

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Notarization is not required in any state or territory.

Learn more.
Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

I assume I can choose which state I vote in when I vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

Sorry, it's not a choice. You vote in the state where you last lived before moving abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

I heard that overseas and military ballots aren't actually counted.

Here's the TRUTH:

Phooey on that! It is illegal to not count and include all ballots received in order to certify the election.

Learn more.

I have a question about overseas voting!

Submit your question and get a personal answer

For immediate answers, see our comprehensive overseas voting FAQ library

Go to the Voter Help Desk - our agents are ready to answer your questions

Study Abroad and Vote

If you are studying abroad during an election, you can vote from abroad.

You can even send in your overseas voter registration and ballot request form before you leave for school.

See our Study Abroad and VOTE! Toolkit

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Strengthening the Voice of Americans Abroad: Welcoming Doris L. Speer to Our Advisory Board

At a time when the voting rights of Americans living abroad are facing renewed legal, policy, and practical challenges, strong leadership and collaboration across the overseas voting community are more important than ever.

U.S. Vote Foundation and its Overseas Vote initiative are pleased to welcome Doris L. Speer, President of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), to our Advisory Board. Her appointment reflects a deep alignment of mission and a shared commitment to ensuring that U.S. citizens abroad, and military voters worldwide, can fully participate in U.S. elections.

When is the Next Presidential Election?

Presidential elections are held every four (4) years and the next one will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2028. Primary elections and/or caucuses are held in each state to assist the major political parties in deciding who will be their candidate for the office of President. These run from January to June of the presidential election year.

U.S. Vote can tell you the type of primary held in your state so you can be ready ahead of time. Mark Tuesday, November 7, 2028 on your calendar, because the next Presidential Election will be here before you know it, and get a head start on your preparations today!

But you can vote this year, too! In the Midterm Elections - Read On!

suitcase wrapped in american flag with icons like statue of liberty and empire state building bulging out of it

Can Overseas U.S. Citizens Vote from Abroad in the Midterms?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen abroad you are eligible to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. During the midterm elections all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the seats (100) in the U.S. Senate are up for vote.

Whether you live overseas long-term, or are there temporarily studying abroad or on a work assignment, you are entitled to vote.

Be sure to get started as soon as possible to register and request your overseas ballot. The midterm election season starts with primaries in all states and finishes with general election in November.

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Overseas Voting Research and Resources

"How to Vote" as a Voter Abroad

Create My Overseas Voter Journey Map

FAQ: Top Questions on Overseas Voting

Everything you need to know about voting from abroad

Learn more about US overseas voting

Read our Overseas Voting Explainer

Improving US overseas and military voting

Examine our overseas voting reform agenda

Overseas Vote has a 20 year history

Learn more about Overseas Vote

Uniformed Services Members

Service members, spouses and dependents: if you are away from your voting address during an election, you can vote

Your voting process is the same as the overseas voting process and both are protected under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)

Learn more about UOCAVA and military voting

Overseas Vote - Everything You Need to Vote From Abroad

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

Here's the TRUTH:

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

Here's the TRUTH:

Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

Here's the TRUTH:

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