How to Vote in the U.S. Election While Traveling

We think being an engaged citizen is pretty important, so figuring out how to vote in national elections while abroad is a priority.

Regardless of what side you fall on, if you’re a U.S. citizen 18 or older, we sincerely hope you’ll vote in every presidential election as well as your local elections. If you happen to be traveling or living abroad come November, then now is a good time to plan ahead and make sure you’ll be able to vote!

Voting while abroad is not difficult but it does take a little planning ahead.

We’ve voted on several ballots, including presidential elections, while serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in Jamaica or traveling as digital nomads in Southeast Asia.

Updated February 2024. Originally published: 2016.

Early Voting for Short Vacation Travel

If you won’t be able to make it to the polls on election day because of a short trip, many States will allow you to vote in person ahead of time (this can be for any reason, including travel). Visit vote.org for more information on your State’s early voting period.

Absentee Ballots for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad or Traveling Long-Term

If you live overseas, you are eligible to vote abroad through absentee voting. This typically applies to military families and U.S. citizens who reside in other countries.

For those of us who are digital nomads or traveling long term during elections, absentee voting may also apply. Although we don’t have an international address, we consider ourselves to be “residing” outside of the U.S. long enough during election time to use this option and have never had an issue.

What do I need to do to become an absentee voter?

First, you do need to print, sign, and mail in a form called the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

You send this FPCA to your local elections office where you’re registered in the U.S. at least 45 days before the election. Send a new form each year that you wish to vote from abroad.

In addition to the online form, you can also pick up an FPCA from any U.S. consulate or embassy around the world. Some States also allow you to fax or email this form instead of going through a postal service.

How far in advance do you need to submit an absentee voting application? You should mail in the FPCA at least 45 days in advance of the general election. You’ll need to mail in an FPCA each year that you want to vote from abroad (and if you ever change your name or address).

How will I vote once I’m registered to vote absentee?

You’ll either get an electronic ballot (online) or a blank paper ballot in the mail at your overseas address – voting procedures vary by State.

If you have a paper ballot, you have the option of sending your completed ballot in by local mail, a courier service (at your own expense), U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Pouch through an embassy or consulate, and sometimes via fax or email. 

What if my absentee ballot doesn’t arrive in time?

Absentee ballots should arrive 30-45 days in advance. If you have not received your ballot 30 days before an election, there is an emergency back up when voting for federal offices like the US presidential election.

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot allows you to write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the write-in ballot to your local election officials. Requirements vary by State with this as well. 

In the case that your regular absentee ballot arrives after submitting a FWAB, you can send in both. The write-in will only be counted if your absentee ballot doesn’t arrive by your State’s election deadline.

To verify that your absentee ballot has been recorded, you can contact your home election office directly or verify through a voter verification website for your State.

We hope this guide to voting abroad while traveling will help you participate in US elections no matter where you go. For more information, be sure to check the official State Department absentee voting info.

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If you have any tips of your own for voting while traveling abroad, we invite you to share them in the comments below.