🗳️ Make sure you’re registered and ready to vote from abroad in 2026.
Protect your vote: submitting your FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) every year registers you as a voter living abroad, requests all eligible ballots, helps guard against voter roll purges. Exercise your right - start at VotefromAbroad.org.
Returning your Ballot From Spain
Ballot return methods — by email/online, fax or postal mail — vary by state. Find your state's ballot return methods here.
📌 Always vote and return your ballot as soon as possible, by the fastest method allowed for your state! 📌
Electronic Ballot Return
If your state allows you to email, online upload, or fax your ballot, please use one of these methods and avoid postal mail delays and costs.
If you vote in Alaska, California, Florida, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, you can return a ballot by fax or an email-to-fax service (but not by email).
- Not sure how? Find guidance on fax programs and how to’s here: information on how to return a ballot by fax.
- Need help scanning your ballot? Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone.
Postal Mail Ballot Return
Some states require that ballots be returned by postal mail — see directions that come with your ballot on how to return it, or look up the rules for your state here. Many states have extended deadlines for postal mail ballot return but we urge you to plan to have your ballot back by election day if at all possible. Always vote and return your ballot right away, allowing enough time for your ballot to arrive. See below for details on three methods of returning a ballot by postal mail.
Vote a Backup Ballot!
All voters abroad are urged to vote their ballot promptly and to return it right away. If your state requires that you return a ballot by postal mail, consider also voting a Backup Ballot (the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or FWAB). The Backup Ballot is available only to overseas voters — think of it as insurance for your vote! If both ballots arrive, only one will be counted. For more guidance on the Backup Ballot, go here.
SPAIN International Post
If you would like to send your ballot or other election materials back to the U.S. using Correos, please use Tarifa D stamp which costs €2.65 for up to 20g in weight. Note that letters sent with this postage can take up to several weeks to arrive, so mail promptly.
We recommend getting a stamped postmark establishing the date of mailing.
Correos also provides express international mail options. The Paquete Internacional Light option, which guarantees delivery date and allows tracking, is recommended. Information here: https://www.correos.es/es/es/particulares/enviar/enviar-al-extranjero/paquetes-al-extranjero/paquete-internacional-light
U.S. Embassy / Consulate Diplomatic Mail (- IF YOUR LOCAL OFFICES ALLOW IT) Some U.S. Embassy & Consulates allow U.S. citizens abroad to access diplomatic mail for the return of U.S. election materials. In Spain, this service is available through the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona, or the Consular Agencies in Spain:
- If you are sending your ballot through the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, ballots can be dropped off at the American Citizen Services unit between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., except for U.S. and local holidays
- If you are sending your ballot through the U.S. Consulate General Barcelona, ballots can be dropped off at the Consulate General between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., except for U.S. and local holidays.
- If you are sending your ballot through one of the U.S. consular agencies, send an email to the agency located closest to you to schedule an appointment.
- A list of U.S. and local holidays during which our offices are closed is available here.
Diplomatic mail is part of the U.S. Postal Service — therefore, it is necessary to use either sufficient U.S. postage (U.S. stamps), OR to use an official election mail “US postage-paid” envelope. See: I Need to Return my FPCA or Ballot by Mail, What Are My Options?
Consulates usually recommend allowing 30 days for your election mail to arrive in the US.. Actual delivery times will vary. Don’t forget to request a consular postmark.
International Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
We recommend arranging courier delivery so your ballot is received by Election Day. All states that require postal mail return have confirmed they will accept ballots sent with such couriers.
- Do not require a signature upon delivery as this may prevent it from being delivered.
- Couriers will not deliver mail to P.O. Boxes — check with your election officials to get a deliverable address for courier mail.
- There are various private mail carriers operating from Spain. For a comparison of several options see https://www.packlink.es/envios-a-america-del-norte/
- Additional carriers include FedEx Spain here and DHL Spain here.
Confirm Your Ballot is Accepted
After you have returned your ballot, confirm with your election officials that it was received and will be counted. Go to VotefromAbroad.org/states, select your state, and scroll down to “Track My Ballot.” You can also lookup your local election official contact info to directly follow up with them.
Celebrate! Get Your I Voted Sticker!
Let your friends and family know you voted from abroad. You can get a digital “I Voted” sticker from FVAP here.
Need Help?
Visit VotefromAbroad.org, check out the VoteFromAbroad FAQ, or use the online chat bubble. Trained voter assistance is available for live, online voter help (via Zoom) - see here. Or email us at: [email protected].