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 heard I can give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to take back to the U.S. and drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

Ballot return options vary by state. Before giving your ballot to someone to mail from within the U.S., we advise you to contact your Election Office for guidance.

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 heard I can give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to take back to the U.S. and drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

Ballot return options vary by state. Before giving your ballot to someone to mail from within the U.S., we advise you to contact your Election Office for guidance.

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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american flag suitcase with icons like statue of liberty

Military and Overseas Voters: The FPCA and FWAB Have Changed. Here Is What to Do Now.

If you are a military or overseas voter, your right to vote has not changed. The federal forms and guidance around them have. Here is a quick FAQ on what to know before you register or request your ballot.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program has documented that states may continue to process previous versions of the Voter Registration / Ballot Request Form (referred to as the FPCA) and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) submitted before applicable statutory deadlines. Your state determines your eligibility and processes your application.

U.S. Vote Foundation and Overseas Vote continue to offer the previous versions, which include the full UOCAVA population. You can start at overseasvotefoundation.org.

Red white and blue stars and stripes box with paper slot

A Veteran's Oath, Renewed at the Ballot Box

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and overseas voter reflects on service, sacrifice, and why he's dedicating his ballot this November to the family members who wore the uniform before him, and invites you to do the same through Vote in Honor of a Veteran.

"I am a hard person to please. What really fires me up is playing my part in helping increase voter turnout in U.S. elections."

The U.S. Vote Foundation's new Vote in Honor of a Veteran program offers a simple but powerful way for Americans to recognize the people who have worn the nation's uniform while building voters' commitment to cast their ballot.

Overseas and Military Voters: Your Tribute Now Belongs on the Nationwide Honor Wall

If you've served, or you're voting from abroad, this is for you. U.S. Vote Foundation just launched the first nationwide Vote in Honor of a Veteran program on our US.VOTE website. For the first time ever, it's open to voters overseas and in uniform from all states and territories, not just voters in certain select states.

Americans living abroad and service members stationed around the world can now post a tribute to a veteran or active service member and pledge your vote in their honor at https://www.us.vote/honor-veteran.

Visit Blog

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

Vote in Honor of a Veteran

Post a Tribute to Vote in Honor of a Veteran