U.S. citizen living abroad?
You Can Vote!
NEED VOTING HELP?
Get in touch through email
Click here to send us an email! Our help team staffs our Voter Help Desk around the clock and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Connect with Voter Help Volunteers
Schedule a time to connect with a voter help volunteer.
- Request an appointment – we can set up individual calls with experienced volunteers at a time that’s convenient for you.
- Or sign up to attend our drop-in Zoom sessions, with breakout rooms for individual help with your voting issue.
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WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT?
Finding information on Candidates, Ballot Measures, and Other Races
As an overseas voter, it can be difficult to find information about the candidates, ballot measures, and other races on your ballot. Good sources of in-depth information are:
- 2026 Elections in every State: https://ballotpedia.org/Elections_by_state_and_year
- What’s on your ballot: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
- Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2026_ballot_measures
- Online local news sources from your state, such as reports from newspapers, TV and radio station
- Candidates’ social media pages
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USING A BACKUP BALLOT
(The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot or FWAB)
Give yourself more time to get your ballot to your state by Election Day!
You don't have to wait until official overseas ballots for the General Election become available on September 19 – you can send in a Backup Ballot any time during the calendar year before the election.
Many countries are experiencing problems mailing to the U.S. If you must return your ballot by mail, we recommend you send in a Backup Ballot. To check if your state requires ballots to be returned by mail, click here and scroll down to “How to Submit to Your Election Office - Ballot Return”
- For an overview of Backup Ballots, watch this video: How To Use An Overseas Absentee Backup Ballot
- For detailed instructions, go to: What is the Backup Ballot (or FWAB) and how do I use it?
- For instructions on how to mail back your ballot, go to: I need to return my FPCA or Ballot by mail. What are my options?
And you have the option to ALSO mail in your official ballot when you receive it. That doubles your chances that your vote will make it to the U.S. by the deadline!
It’s okay — if both your Backup Ballot and your official ballot arrive before the deadline, federal law provides that only your official ballot will be counted and your Backup Ballot will be discarded.
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YOU’VE RETURNED YOUR BALLOT! TRACK YOUR BALLOT RETURN
Congratulations, you’ve returned your ballot! The final step is to verify that your ballot was received and counted!
For the most up-to-date status, contact your Local Election Official directly for confirmation. For contact information, click here and scroll down to “Find Your Election Office”
Or check your state’s website to track your ballot return. For website links, click here and scroll down to “Track Your Ballot"
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PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BALLOT? BALLOT CURING MAY BE AVAILABLE
If there is a reason why your election office didn’t accept your ballot, it may be possible to fix the problem. But don’t delay, deadlines are tight!
- For the most up-to-date status on your ballot, contact your Local Election Official directly. For contact information, click here and scroll down to “Find Your Election Office”
- Or check your state’s website to track your ballot return. For website links, click here and scroll down to “Track Your Ballot"
If there’s a reason why your ballot wasn’t accepted, ask if you can fix it, known as a “ballot cure.”
If a ballot cure is available, your election office will tell you what you need to do. Typically you must submit a signed form, sometimes with a copy of your identification. Have them send the form to you by email and return it as quickly as you can!
If you need any help, click here to connect with our voter help volunteers.
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