US citizens abroad remote voting & submitting your ballot for 2020 presidential elections.
First-time voters can start the process online
Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website to directly register with your state.
- Most states require voters to register at least 45 days before an election. Don’t miss out!
- Are you a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the United States? Click here to see if you can register to vote.
Repeat Voters:
To ensure you continue to receive absentee ballots during your time away from your voting residence, be sure to submit a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every January or each time you change your address. We recommend that voters register at least 90 days before the election you want to vote in.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) encourages overseas U.S. citizens to take these individual actions to help overcome any potential disruptions to host country mail operations:
- Register and request your ballot through FVAP.gov: Use the online Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov to simultaneously register and request an absentee ballot.
- Consider asking that your ballot be sent to you electronically: Voters in who are living in countries currently experiencing, or likely to experience, mail disruptions should select an electronic option for receiving their blank ballot from their election official. Not all states and counties allow electronic receipt of blank ballots; check FVAP.gov or ask your state voting office if this is an option for you.
- Consider state ballot submission alternatives: Refer to your state’s instructions on FVAP.gov for ways to return your completed ballot. Most states allow voters to submit ballots online.
Given current conditions, voters are strongly encouraged to submit ballots directly to their home states via email or fax where possible. Where mail-in ballots are the only option, please consider using a courier service to send your ballot directly to your home state to be counted.
As a last resort, eligible voters are permitted to drop off ballots at the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. Please note that it can take up to four weeks for mail to reach its destination if sent by diplomatic pouch. Ballots can be dropped off at the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem from 9:00AM-11:00AM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or at the Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv from 8:00AM-11:00AM on Tuesday and Thursday.
You have a few methods for submitting your ballot from overseas.
Send your electronic ballot via email or fax
Send paper ballots via the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or the Branch Office in Tel Aviv
Send paper ballots via express courier service
