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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.
man smilling with glasses
lady 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

american flag flying in wind from boat on ocean
Reschentahaler v. Schmidt: A Legal Battle Being Fought to Protect 2024 Overseas and Military Ballots
A coalition of nonpartisan voter, overseas and military advocacy organizations, including U.S. Vote Foundation, took action in a critical legal battle for overseas and military voter rights. With the filing of an amicus curiae brief in Pennsylvania, the battle took a decisive turn.

The case poses a threat to Pennsylvania’s military personnel deployed overseas and their families, as well as U.S. citizens living abroad who vote in PA, in the upcoming 2024 election.
black origami bird carrying envelope and 2 white origami birds below
Where's My 2024 Overseas Absentee Ballot?
We are happy to say that many overseas and military voters requested their ballots early in 2024 and have already received them and voted.

Unfortunately, there are some voters who are not so lucky. If you know for sure that you requested your overseas absentee ballot this year, mid-October is the time to check on it. In fact, time to get on it ASAP! You need to vote and send it back in time to be counted.

Here are some tips for tracking down your overseas ballot.
padlock with key place on top of computer keyboard
Protect Your Vote: Security and Privacy Tips for Overseas and Military Voters
As an overseas or military voter, your participation in federal elections is your right, and it is codified in federal law. You have special online features and benefits available to you in 2024 that make it easier to register, request your ballot and get your ballot back in time to be counted.

Equally important to your right to vote as an absentee voter is your vigilance to safeguard your privacy and security when accessing voting services online. This blog will guide you on how to protect yourself and your vote.
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