Can US citizens vote from abroad?
Yes, a US citizen can vote from anywhere in the world! Your right to vote in US elections travels with you wherever you go, and requesting your ballot is simple.
Your vote counts as much as any American and will have a direct impact on shaping the future – often deciding crucial races that come down to the thinnest of margins.
Why voting from abroad matters
Millions of US citizens of voting age live outside the United States. Collectively, our numbers rival that of the population of an entire state! This means our vote can influence tight races back home.
As a US citizen living abroad, you can make an impact! In the midterm elections – Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 – every seat in the US House of Representatives and a third of the Senate is up for vote.
There are also state elections for governor, legislature, mayor and many crucial local offices – depending on your state rules, you may be able to vote in these elections too.
How to vote from abroad in three simple steps
Voting from abroad is straightforward. To register, you must fill out a single form: the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This single document registers you and requests your ballot simultaneously.
1. Request: Go to VoteFromAbroad.org to complete the FPCA form in English. We strongly recommend you request to receive your ballot via email.
2. Receive: Your local election office must send you your ballot no later than 45 days before the election (by email if you requested that).
3. Return: Fill out the ballot and return it according to the procedures and deadlines set by your state. For a quick step-by-step walkthrough, check out Your 10-Minute Guide to Voting From Abroad.
NOTE: If you are returning a paper ballot from Denmark, you should avoid the local postal service. Click here for instructions if you live in Denmark.
Voting from abroad is easier than you might think – register today at VoteFromAbroad.org
Voting overseas: Frequently asked questions
Can a US citizen vote from another country? Yes. Any eligible US citizens can vote in federal elections from abroad, whether you’ve been abroad for two months or 20 years.
How do I vote as an American living abroad? Use VoteFromAbroad.org to complete the FPCA. Choose the option to receive your ballot by email, which is the safest and fastest way to receive your ballot, especially given the time zone differences and potential postal delays between Europe and the US.
Do I have to have an address in the US to vote? No. Even if you’ve lived in Sweden for decades, surrendered your US driver’s licence, and have no property back home, you can still vote using the address where you last resided in the US. Whether that was in New York, Texas, or California, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) law guarantees that right.
It's time to make your voice heard from abroad!
The 2026 midterm election is a crucial one for the United States and the world.
The results will shape everyday life back home, from school boards and local judges to the laws and election practices that govern your home state.
Many US elections are decided by a tiny number of votes – sometimes less than 200.
Overseas ballots have elected Democrats in tight congressional races, and election officials expect this trend to continue as the battle for Congress and our civil liberties heats up. For example, Arizona counted 18,435 overseas ballots in 2020. Biden won Arizona by 10,457. Georgia counted 18,475 abroad ballots. Biden won Georgia by 11,779 votes
These races also shape the federal government, with Congress exercising its constitutional role of approving the judiciary and other officials such as the head of the federal Food and Drug Administration, the Attorney General, the Surgeon General and the head of the FBI.
From trade agreements with the EU to NATO commitments that directly affect Europe's security, US laws and policies have a profound effect on all US citizens, regardless of where you live, and affect the lives and futures of people across the globe, even those who are not US citizens.
Casting a ballot is your chance to weigh in on issues that hit close to home for Americans based in Europe: consular services, Social Security totalisation agreements, and the US-European defence relationship, among others.
As a US voter, your voice matters – no matter where you are. Start today by registering on the Vote From Abroad website. It’s free, nonpartisan and ensures your ballot finds its way home. A one-stop shop for all your voting information with everything from deadlines by state, contact information for your local election official, ballot tracking and more!
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