July 08, 2024

Special Focus: How to RETURN Your Ballot


Key Mexico dates to know about Receiving and Returning your ballot for the 2024 U.S. general election:

  • Ballot Receipt: If you requested your ballot by email, it should have arrived in your email on or about Sept. 21, 2024.
    Or a few days later if you just requested. Didn't receive your ballot? Contact your Local Election office immediately HERE. (Scroll down toward bottom of this page.)
  • IMPORTANT: You can still Request Your Ballot HERE. Hurry! State and Mailing Deadlines Approaching Soon!

  • Ballot RETURN by Postal Mail:
    Strongly Recommended*: Send it back by Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.
  • Ballot RETURN by E-Mail, Fax or Online:
    Recommended*: Return by Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. 

    Yes, you CAN return in October, but each day you wait is riskier. There could be slow U.S. Mail and other complications—even if you're returning your ballot by E-Mail, Fax or Online.

        * Recommendations based on many years of experience in Mexico.
  .........

 

Ballot return requirements vary by state

  • Check your state’s exact ballot return requirements here.
  • Here is a quick recap—
    ...MUST Return by MAIL: AR, CT, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY,  PA, OH, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WI, WY..
    ...
    FAX ALLOWED: AK, CA, FL, LA, OK.

    ...EMAIL ALLOWED: AL, AZ, CO, DE, DC, HI, IN, KS, ME, MA, MS, MT, NC, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OR, RI, SC, UT, WA. 

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  • Mail Only? If you vote from states like Georgia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin—you must return your ballot only by mail.
    Send it back by Sept. 30, 2024. (Extra time required since you're sending it from Mexico!)
  • Email or Fax? If your state allows email or fax returns, definitely use these options instead of mail. Information on fax submission here.

> TIP: New Jersey Special Requirement—New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but also requires that the ballot be sent by postal mail.

> TIP: New York and Texas Special Requirements—Here are instructions on
    —NY: How to fold the New York State 2024 General Election ballot.  
    —TX: How to assemble Texas Ballot Materials. See example of the TX Carrier Envelope below. 


1. How to return your ballot by POSTAL MAIL   

Private Carrier: If your state requires postal mail ballot return, the best options are:

  • Take your ballot to a mail-forwarding service or to an expressmail courier service (DHL, FedEx, etc.). NOTE: International courier services deliver to street addresses only. You can find an election office's street address by searching the internet.
  • Important: Ask for a postmark or date stamp on the outer envelope when mailing using any service, except the diplomatic pouch. TX requires date and time
    The postmark date is important to ensure your ballot is counted!

> TIP:  Check your state’s deadline for ballot return and count backwards to ensure timely delivery. 

> TIP:  Even with express mail courier services, ballots still take several days to get to the United States.

 


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2. How to return your ballot by DIPLOMATIC POUCH
(Mexico City Only) - It is now past the deadline to submit this way.

Voters in Mexico can drop their ballots off in postage paid envelopes or with the correct postage at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

Click here for a printable postage paid envelope.   

If you are not able to print the envelope, you can use a blank envelope with the following messages on the front: 

  • OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOTING MATERIAL – FIRST CLASS MAIL
  • U.S. Postage Paid 39 USC 3406

The Embassy recommends coming and dropping off the ballots/registration cards in person. No appointment is needed, and the ballot box should be located at the entrance.

 


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3. Delivering ballots to the EMBASSY / CONSULATE in person - It is now past the deadline to submit this way.

  • Hours for accepting ballots: 9 am–2 pm Monday–Friday (the Mexico City Embassy is closed for U.S. Federal and Mexican holidays).
  • All visitors to the Embassy are subject to security screening, and you will not be permitted to bring electronic devices, including cell phones, inside the facility. Location:

United States Embassy
American Citizen Services
Room 101 Voting Assistance Officer
Av. Paseo de la Reforma 305
Col. Cuauhtémoc, 06500
Ciudad de México

To mail election-related materials to the U.S, you will need 2 envelopes.

  • Address Envelope #1 to the U.S. Embassy at the mailing address above.
  • Address Envelope #2 to your local state election office and enclose your ballot inside.
    The second (internal) envelope needs to be postage-paid or have sufficient U.S. postage affixed to be delivered to your local election office from the U.S. sorting facility in Texas where it will be mailed.
  • Seal the second envelope, place it inside the first envelope, and mail the package to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It can take up to 4 weeks for election-related materials to reach their final destination in the U.S.

 

You might be able to drop ballots off at the following locations.

Double-check with these locations to see if in-person ballot drop-off is available—and what the hours are.  

U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juarez

U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara

U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo

U.S. Consulate General Matamoros

U.S. Consulate General Merida

U.S. Consulate General Monterrey

U.S. Consulate General Nogales

U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo

U.S. Consulate General Tijuana

 

Please be aware that using the diplomatic pouch does not mean your ballot will arrive faster.
It can take up to 5 weeks for the mail to reach its final destination.

Therefore, we do NOT recommend using the diplomatic pouch
AFTER October 1.

If you have any questions about using the diplomatic pouch, contact the U.S. Embassy at [email protected].  

 

> IMPORTANT TIP: 

When filling out your ballot and packaging your ballot, remember to review the instructions carefully.

Don’t let human error spoil your ballot!