How to Vote from Türkiye

Posted by Ada Shen
June 01, 2026

Global Charter Committee / EMEA GOTV Coordinator / DPCA Voting Representative

2026 How to Vote from Türkiye

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 Türkiye

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.

USING PTT INTERNATIONAL POST

If you would like to send your ballot or other election materials back to the U.S. by PTT Post (main branches only), you may use PTT international mail service to the US. This service may take up to three weeks to arrive, so please only use it if you have ample time until the election deadline.

To find PTT locations nearby, visit https://enyakinptt.ptt.gov.tr. You may want to call the branch in advance to confirm if they provide international mail delivery service to the US.

TIP: We recommend getting a stamped postmark establishing the date of mailing. We do not recommend sending via registered mail as this requires a signature which can interfere with the delivery of your ballot.

NAVLUNGO.COM FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE

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.

In Türkiye, we recommend using Navlungo at navlungo.com/en, an online platform where you can compare and book international courier services including UPS, FedEx, DHL, and TNT. Two shipping options for a standard ballot envelope:

Turkish Airlines (THY) + USPS — approximately $10, delivery in 3-7 business days
UPS / FedEx — approximately $30, delivery in 2-3 business days

For questions or assistance, contact Leyla Sarı at 0534 693 2790.

Important Details:

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.

USING U.S. EMBASSY / CONSULATE DIPLOMATIC MAIL

As DA Türkiye, we believe using other delivery services are more dependable, as it may take longer, and you do not have any control over when your ballot would arrive, or have proof of delivery. If you’d still prefer to use the diplomatic pouch, here is the relevant information:

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?

You can mail your ballot or drop it off in person to the Consulate. For the general election, the Consulate should receive your ballot by October 3, 2026.

Voting materials can be mailed to:

U.S. Consulate General Istanbul
ATTN: American Citizen Services
Istinye Mah. Kaplicalar Mevkii No:2
34460 Istinye, Istanbul, Türkiye

For in-person drop off:

Please sign up for STEP (https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step). The Consulate will send out a message with details about when they will have a ballot drop-box available nearer to the general election date. If you need to make an appointment before the ballot drop-box is available, you can email them at ([email protected] or [email protected]).

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

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.

In Türkiye, the most popular international courier service is DHL, here is a link to get a quote and find locations: https://shipnow.dhl.com/tr/tr/get-a-quote

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.

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].