How to Vote from Israel

Posted by Chaya Houpt
September 08, 2026

2026 How to Vote from Israel

📌 Please note that there is NO IN-PERSON VOTING in Israel for U.S. elections! 📌

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 rights - start at VotefromAbroad.org.

Returning your Ballot From Israel

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.

USING ISRAEL POST

Mail service between Israel and U.S. can be unreliable at times. If you would like to return your ballot or other election materials by Israel Post, we encourage selecting an express mail service such as ECO Post, which offers an expected delivery time of 5-10 business days. Do not use a shipping method that requires a signature for delivery.

To find Israel Post locations nearby, visit https://doar.israelpost.co.il/locatebranch. You may want to call the branch in advance to confirm they provide the necessary service, and if an appointment is required.

USING 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.

Here is a link to get a quote from DHL and find locations: https://www.dhl.com/il-en/home/get-a-quote.html

TIP: Do not require a signature upon delivery as this may prevent it from being delivered.
TIP: Couriers will not deliver mail to P.O. Boxes — check with your election officials to get a deliverable address for courier mail.

USING U.S. EMBASSY / CONSULATE DIPLOMATIC MAIL

Ballots sent by diplomatic mail can take up to six weeks to reach their destination, and this method does not offer proof of delivery. Here is the relevant information for returning ballots to the U.S. Embassy:
You will need to place your ballots in U.S. postage-paid return envelopes (usually provided with your ballot) or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage. You can download a free U.S. postage-paid return envelope template at FVAP.gov.

The diplomatic pouch leaves weekly on Tuesday mornings. Ballots should be dropped off no later than Monday to be included in the weekly pouch shipment.
Ballots can be dropped off in person without an appointment at the following locations:

Jerusalem

American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem
14 David Flusser Street
8:00 AM-2:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Tel Aviv
Embassy Branch Office
71 HaYarkon Street
8:00 AM-2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Tip: When using diplomatic mail, don’t forget to request a consular postmark on your election materials

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.

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].