How to Vote from Uruguay in 2026
If you're a U.S. citizen or dual-national abroad, and will be 18 years old on November 3rd, you have the right to vote from abroad in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, and in your state elections if your state allows.
As a U.S. citizen, you can register to vote from abroad while living, working, or traveling overseas by submitting one form, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). It doesn't matter if you were registered to vote before you left the U.S. or how long you have lived outside the U.S. (including if you've never resided there).
Below you'll find an overview of the entire process of voting from Peru including how to:
- Register and Request a Ballot
- Confirm and Receive a Ballot
- Vote and Return a Ballot
- Track a Ballot
Questions along the way? Contact [email protected] at any point!
1. Register to vote and request your ballot
Visit VotefromAbroad.org to fill out your absentee ballot request, also known as the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)— it only takes 5-10 minutes! If you're not registered to vote, the FPCA serves as a voter registration form as well. Be sure to choose the option to receive your ballot via email!
Every state has different submission rules and deadline
Your state’s can be found at Your State Rules on the VotefromAbroad.org homepage.
If you have any questions while filling out the form, you can refer to FAQs, also on the homepage. If you don’t find your answer listed there, click the online Voter Help Desk’s red circle 
at the bottom right and type in your question. Or email: [email protected].
2. Confirm your request has been accepted and that you will receive a ballot
You should always verify with your local election official that you will be receiving a ballot. After you submit your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) request form, if they don’t send you a confirmation of receipt right away, call or email your local election official to verify they received it and will be sending a blank ballot to you. You can look up their contact information at Your State Rules.
The contact information is also listed in the instructions generated when you complete the FPCA on VotefromAbroad.org. Alternatively, most states provide a website where you can verify your voter status, although these sites can sometimes be outdated and are not aimed at abroad voters; You can find it by searching for "[state] verify voter registration."
By federal law pertaining to overseas voters, all states must send absentee ballots to overseas voters no later than 45 days before a federal election (MOVE Act). Start checking your email at 45 days; if you don't see it, check your spam. If you don't receive it within a few days, check with your Local Election Office: contact information found at Your State Rules.
---> Tip: For states requiring mail back ballots, you don't need to wait for ballots to come out 45 day prior to the election. If you must mail back your ballot, we recommend sending in a Federal Write-In Ballot (FWAB) as a backup! This allows you to use a quicker and more economical method of mail, courier, or embassy/consult delivery (see below in section 3). If you then receive your state’s complete official ballot in time to mail or courier it back, you can do so! Your FWAB ballot will be superseded by your state’s ballot - you will not be voting twice!
The FWAB is specifically for overseas voters who are concerned they won't receive their official ballot in time to return it by the deadline. All details about the Backup Ballot can be found in FAQs Here
You can easily fill out online and download a FWAB backup ballot at: FWAB backup ballot ONLINE or download and fill out by hand online here: FWAB backup ballot
When it's time for ballots to come and you don't see yours, check your spam folder - ballots can hide in there! If you still don't see it, contact your local election official and confirm they sent your ballot out. Remember, you can look up your local election official's contact info at Your State Rules.
If you don't have your ballot by October 1 and you must mail it back, we recommend you send in a Backup Ballot to make sure your vote gets to your state in time. See details above.
3. Vote and Return your ballot
Return your ballot ASAP via the easiest and quickest option available for your state!
Because ballot return methods vary by state, carefully check your state’s guidelines on return via online upload, email, fax, or postal mail at Your State Rules. If your state only allows postal mail return you must return your ballot as quickly as possible! See mail-return options below.
---> Tip: New Jersey Voters - Please note that New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but also requires that the ballot be sent by postal mail as well.
---> Tip: New York Voters - Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot.
Returning your ballot via online upload or email
Bingo! If your state allows, these are the easiest, fastest options. Use these!
(Note that DA continually works with individual state representatives to promote legislation that would allow these option for all states. )
Returning your ballot via fax
If you don’t have a fax machine or international fax service isn’t easily available, you can use an Email-to-Fax service. Free Email-to-Fax services are available online; two are:
HelloFax allows you to send up to 5 pages for free.
FAX.PLUS allows you to send up 10 pages for free.
Note: Under the current US administration, the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP) no longer offers its Email-to-Fax service.
Returning your ballot via mail
If your state requires postal mail ballot return, your options are :
Post Office
Use your local post office IF you have reliable postal service in your area! and IF you are sending your ballot back early enough to allow time for delivery to your local election office in the states. Be sure to add international postage to your Postage Paid envelope.
Courier Service
Courier service is a more reliable and timely option, but of course more costly. Consider the value of your vote when you consider courier service to return of your ballot. For fees and locations nearest you, contact the main offices listed:
For direct return of your ballot to your Local Election Office:
FedEx locations:
FedEx World Service Center, Juan Carlos Gomez 1444, esquina 25 de Mayo, Local 002 (Ed. Barreiro y Ramos), Montevideo; Mon-Fri 9:15-13:00, 13:30-18:00; General Information: 000.405.4580
FedEx Av. Wilson Ferreira, Aldunate 5528, 15000, Aeropuerto, 15000, Canelon; 598-2628-0100; Mon-Fri 10-20:00
---> Tip: Family members whose ballots are in separate postage-paid envelopes and both addressed to the same local election office may use one courier delivery package.
Important: You must ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope when mailing using any service.
---> Tip: Check your state’s deadline for ballot return and count backwards to ensure timely delivery. The postmark date is important to ensure your ballot is counted!
---> Tip: Even with expedited courier services, ballots still take several days to get to the United States.
Diplomatic pouch delivery from the US Embassy in Montevideo:
You can drop off your ballot request or voted ballot at the U.S. Embassy Montevideo main entrance gate Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Allow up to one month for delivery. Ballots must be placed in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities (NOTE: postage from COUNTRY to the United States is not required using this method).
FPCA Postage – Paid Return Envelope Embassy Montevideo can only receive and mail your vote if it comes in this envelope .
The embassy is at Lauro Müller 1776, Montevideo; Go to the Main Entrance Gate, Mon-Thurs 9-4pm. 598 1770-2000. Email [email protected] for any questions.
Due to time constraints, DA does not recommend using the diplomatic pouch after Oct. 1st.
Regardless of how you send your ballot
---> Tip: Know that it is unlawful in some states for a second party to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed. To ensure lawful ballot return, you the voter, should place your voted ballot in the mail, provide to the courier, or hand in for the diplomatic pouch. Alternatively, contact [email protected] to find out if your state is one that disallows second party handling of voted ballots.
4. Track your ballot
Once you've mailed your ballot, follow up with your local election official to make sure that it arrived and will be counted. Nearly all states have online tracking services. To find your state's website, go to Your State Rules and scroll down to "Track Your Ballot." On the same web page, you can also look up your local election office's contact details and contact them directly. If they are experiencing an influx of calls or emails, you may need to remain persistent, but this can be the most direct and reliable way to track your ballot.
---> Tip: Know that voter error is the main cause of ballot rejection!
Having trouble? Need help?
We understand that the voting process from abroad can be confusing — that's why we're here to help. Send an email to [email protected]
Download your sticker! Share with your friends!
|
REVIEW OF KEY POINTS FOR VOTING ● Request your overseas ballot now! www.votefromabroad.org ● Check the option (on the request form) that your ballot be sent to you by email! ● Submit your request form online or by email, if your state allows; unfortunately, some states require you to mail your request. ● If your state allows you to return your voted ballot electronically – do it! (By email, upload, or fax). ● If your state requires you to mail back your ballot: ○ Request your ballot now so you’ll receive it 45 days prior to an election. ○ Download and vote your ballot immediately! ○ Use your embassy or consulate’s diplomatic pouch (by Oct 1st) or use a courier service to send it back. ● Track your request form and your ballot. ● Questions? [email protected] |
Need help scanning your ballot?
|
Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone. If you don't have a scanning app on your phone, you can use Adobe Scan mobile app for iPhone & Android |