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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

Read more about overseas voting
How do I vote from abroad? What is the overseas voting process?

Overseas and military voting is easy!

Many aspects of overseas voting are online

The overseas voting application process is the same across all states and territories

Learn more about the overseas voting process
Find the overseas voting tools you need

To vote from abroad, you need to complete the overseas voter registration and absentee ballot request every election year.

You will want to check your election dates and overseas voter deadlines, and how to contact your election office.

See our overseas voting tools and services

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.

See All Overseas Voting Myths

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.

See All Overseas Voting Myths

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.
test
woman with luggage
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

Blog

Overseas Vote logo - Initiative of US Vote Foundation
Statement of Position on Overseas and Military (UOCAVA) Voting in 2024
The assertion that non-U.S. citizens are voting through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) program has no basis in fact. The integrity of this program has never been in question, and attempts to mislead or cast doubt on it will not succeed.

The UOCAVA voting program, which has served military and overseas voters for decades, is both robust and transparent. Any examination will demonstrate how well-designed and secure the program is, allowing eligible voters to submit their ballots on time and ensuring that each vote is properly counted.
us map showing states with blue map indicators sprinkled across it
What State Do I Vote in from Abroad as an Overseas Voter?
Can I choose the state they vote in when I vote from abroad? Can I use my relative's address? Can I use a temporary address where I stayed before I moved? Do I still need to own or rent the property? No, no, no, and no - none of that is true!

Find out how to determine your Voting Residence Address and why it's important.

As an overseas voter, you take your right to vote AND your 'voting residence address' with you - where ever you are in the world.

Are you confused which state you vote in while traveling or living in another country? We can help!
november 2024 calendar with pin in 5th
Why is Election Day in the United States of America on Tuesday?
This year, on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, the next President and Vice President of the United States of America will be elected, as well as 1/3 of the U.S. Senators and all 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be chosen. Yes, the election will take place on Tuesday.

But have you ever wondered why the election usually occurs during the week, namely on Tuesday? As always at U.S. Vote Foundation, we've got the answer for you! We're here to help you understand and exercise your voting rights and you can even build your knowledge of U.S. elections at the same time. Read on!
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
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
People Registration US Vote

Overseas Vote is redirecting you to our parent site, U.S. Vote Foundation.

U.S. Vote Foundation offers complete voter services to all voter types including voters abroad and uniformed services voters and their families.

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