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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

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

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.

Study Abroad and Vote
If you are studying abroad during an election, you can vote from abroad.
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woman with luggage
You can even send in your overseas voter registration and ballot request form before you leave for school.
  • 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!

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Blog

us presidential seal on dark background
As the Presidential Primary Elections come to a conclusion and the nominees for each party are decided, you may wonder, how can a person qualify to be a U.S. President? Such a relevant and timely question deserves an answer! It is your right as a U.S. citizen living abroad to vote in Federal Elections wherever you presently reside. The U.S. President is democratically elected by U.S. citizens including those who cast their ballots from abroad. The outcome determines who is in the most powerful leadership position in the world.
compass pointing in direction of voting
As a U.S. citizen living abroad, even if you voted in previous years, you need to refile your Overseas Registration and Ballot Request form every calendar year that you want to vote. The good news is – it’s fast and easy! With U.S. Vote Foundation's voter services, you get: - Online, guided wizard process; - New Photo-Signature-Email functionality; - Voter Account login speeds data entry. Everything you need to know, and your options - read about it here and take voter action today.
susan dzieduszycka-suinat founder of overseas vote
In this interview, the Founder of Overseas Vote, Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, responds to questions about the new Overseas Vote website, it's approach to overseas voting and what U.S. Vote Foundation aims to achieve with this major website makeover.
Overseas Voting Research and Resources
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)

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.

US Vote

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