Federal law grants US citizens living overseas the right to vote in federal elections, no matter where they live or for how long they are away. Unfortunately, the law doesn’t guarantee overseas voting will be simple.

In fact, voting from abroad can feel like “do-it-yourself democracy.”
There are no polling places or friendly poll workers, no countdowns to Election Day on the local news, and nobody walking around wearing an “I Voted” button.

Overseas voters have to remember election dates, negotiate the absentee registration system, calculate how long it will take to mail a ballot back-and-forth and, oh yes, research candidates. And voting procedures are regulated by the individual states so the rules and deadlines change depending on where you vote.
This is why overseas and military voters need extra help…and why we created Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF). A strictly non-partisan non-profit, OVF offers online tools and databases to simplify the process, save your time and put an end to DIY Democracy.

There are three parts to the overseas voting process:

• Registering to vote absentee and/or requesting a ballot.
• Receiving your ballot.
• Voting and returning your ballot.

If your regular ballot doesn’t show up on time, note that you can use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot.
Here are answers to some questions we often hear.

 A guest of a US election party stands on a balcony where the US flag is projected on the ground

Registering to vote and requesting a ballot

• What is my US address for voting purposes? Your voting address is your last address in the U.S., no matter where you’re originally from or if you ever intend to return to that state.  
• How do I get started? Start by looking up your state’s election dates! Oaf’s Election Official Directory and State-specific Voter Information Directory includes state-by-state election dates and filing deadlines, complete contact information for local election offices, options for sending and receiving voting material and state-level contact information. Then move to the Registration and Ballot Request process.
  
• What forms do I need? There is only one form but it has four uses. If you are not yet a registered voter, the Registration and Ballot Request form acts as a simultaneous Registration and Ballot Request. If you are already registered, it acts as just the Ballot Request. It is also used to update your address or change party affiliation. On the OVF website, click on Register to Vote / Request your Ballot to generate the form according to your state’s requirements.
• When should I submit the Registration/Ballot Request form? As early as possible in each election year. The earlier the better. Today is a good day for it!

Submitting your voted ballot

• What elections can I vote in? What elections can I vote in? Federal law gives you the right to vote in federal elections: President/Vice President, Senate, House of Representatives. Depending on your situation, your election official may send you a ballot with state offices as well. You are never obligated to vote the entire ballot - vote for the offices you feel able to vote for.
• What else do I need to do? Make sure to sign the form as indicated and mail the original to your election office.
• Can’t I just email my ballot these days? Some states allow you to return your ballot by fax or even email. This sounds like a good idea, especially if you’re a procrastinator type …but if you fax, you may be asked to sign a “secrecy waiver” giving up your right to a secret ballot. This, plus the total absence of security for ballots attached to email, means we recommend you plan to use regular mail if you possibly can.
• Is there an easier way to keep current? Join Oaf’s mailing list and we’ll send you Voter Alerts to remind you of important election dates for your state and your state only.

 Guests queue to get into a US elections party at the Berlin headquarters of Deutsche Telekom

• My ballot is late. What do I do? The FWAB is the “emergency” ballot if your ballot is late. If you’re registered and don’t receive your ballot by 30 days prior to Election Day, use the FWAB. Our online tools will list the candidates in your district for you. Print it, vote and mail, and you’re done. If your regular ballot arrives afterward, you should still vote it and send it back to replace your FWAB.

Have a more specific question or problem? Contact the OVF Voter Help Desk.
At OVF, we do all this for one reason: to help American experts exercise their voting rights. Remember that not every country extends these rights to their expatriate citizens; you cherish them by using them.
Citizenship means more than our passports.
Vote 2010 - U.S. Congress - Register Now

A former Expatica France editor, Clair Whitmer is now Voter Outreach Director for Overseas Vote Foundation; you can reach her at whitmer@overseasvotefoundation.org