The Trump administration is trying to take away the right to vote for U.S. citizens who have never lived in the U.S. Here’s what you need to know and how Democrats Abroad is fighting back in partnership with the DNC.
In late August, the Federal Voting Assistance Program updated the form that overseas voters use to register and request their ballot (FPCA) as well as the write-in absentee ballot form (FWAB) in an effort to disenfranchise U.S. citizens who were born and live abroad and prevent them from voting.
They made this change despite laws in 37 states and D.C. which specifically grant these U.S. citizens the right to vote where their U.S. parents last resided. And they made these changes without following standard procedures for public notification and a comment period, in the midst of a general election, without input from voters or state officials who rely on these forms.
Working with Democrats Abroad, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed suit against the Trump administration today. The DNC and Democrats Abroad denounce the Trump administration’s efforts to strip these citizens of their voice and right to representation in our democracy, even as these same U.S. citizens retain the responsibility to pay U.S. taxes and in some cases register for Selective Service.
Meanwhile, Democrats Abroad and other groups that serve U.S. citizens abroad are working to make sure voters have accurate information and practical help.
Most importantly: don’t let these changes stop you from voting.
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If you are a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the U.S. or an American living abroad, regardless of your intent to return, check your registration and ballot status. Click here to find the email address and phone number for your local election office.
- If you have not requested your ballot for 2026, do it now. If a federal website gives you confusing or contradictory information, don’t assume that means you are ineligible to vote.
- If you have questions, please get help at VoteFromAbroad.org or your local Democrats Abroad chapter. You can also email [email protected] for support.
More Information
https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DNC-v-DOD-FPCA.pdf