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.
Has my right to vote changed?
No. UOCAVA, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, protects your right to vote from abroad, and only Congress can change it. Your state determines your eligibility and processes your application. Recent changes to the federal forms were made outside the usual public review process, and we are asking that they be reviewed.
Which version of the form should I use?
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. U.S. Vote Foundation and Overseas Vote continue to offer the previous versions, which include the full UOCAVA population.
Register/Request My Overseas or Military Ballot on U.S. Vote Foundation Now
I was born abroad and have never lived in the U.S. Can I still vote?
In many cases, yes! Unfortunately, the new FPCA no longer includes a "classification" for citizens who have never resided in the United States. Thirty-seven states and D.C. allow these citizens to vote, generally based on a parent's last U.S. residence. Removing the option from the form does not change your state's law. If you are in this situation, read our FAQ:
I'm a U.S. Citizen Born Abroad, Can I Vote?
Do I need a plan to return to the U.S. to vote?
No. The GSA page for the FPCA now says the form is for citizens "intending on returning only." We have found no such requirement in UOCAVA, and the new FPCA itself includes a box for "my return is uncertain." If your return is uncertain, you can still register and request your ballot.
How do I make sure my ballot counts if it arrives after Election Day?
In approximately 28 states, ballots that arrive after Election Day can still count if they meet the state's rules. On FVAP's state pages, that information sits in notes below the deadline chart, and the chart itself shows only a "postmarked by" date, not a "received by" date. Check your state's exact rule, and mail as early as you can rather than relying on the extended window.
You can see the complete overseas and military voting dates and deadlines on the U.S. Vote Foundation website.
See My State's Election Dates and Deadlines on U.S. Vote Foundation
What's different about the ID section on the new form?
The changed FPCA asks voters to make declaratory statements and refers to state-specific instructions that are not printed on the form. A U.S. passport is now listed as an ID option. UOCAVA does not require any of this documentation. If you are unsure what your state requires, ask your state election office before you submit.
You can avoid this version of the form entirely. U.S. Vote Foundation offers the previous version, which is still being accepted and processed by the states.
Register and Request My Overseas Ballot on U.S. Vote Foundation
What can I do right now?
Register or confirm your registration, request your ballot using the previous form, and mail it back as early as you can. If you want your voice heard on the process itself, a federal comment period is open through November 9, 2026, at docket DOD-2026-OS-1982.
None of this is a reason to sit out this election. It's a reason to get your ballot in early and let us help if anything is unclear.
Questions? Contact our Voter Help Desk
Overseas Vote has been helping military and overseas voters for 21 years, and we will keep providing honest, complete voter services and information. Overseas Vote is an initiative of U.S. Vote Foundation, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit.