International Voter Registration Drive Launches Jan 15
On January 15, Democrats Abroad will launch its 2026 International Voter Registration Drive (IVRD 2026), to help U.S. citizens abroad register to vote in the critical 2026 election year, which will determine control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
In 2026, all 435 Members of the US House are up for (re)election, as well as 33 Senate seats and 36 governorships.
U.S. citizens abroad are eligible to vote in these elections, but in most states they need to request their overseas ballots each year to remain eligible to vote. It is especially important that U.S. citizens abroad register as abroad voters (“UOCAVA voters”) in order to receive the protections for UOCAVA voters required by federal law. These include the right to receive their ballot 45 days before the election, to receive it by email, and to return it by the deadlines specified for voters living abroad. Registering as an abroad voter can also protect against being purged from the voter rolls.
IVRD 2026 will be a sustained period of voter registration actions, with in-person and virtual voter registration events in countries throughout the world, and a large, virtual event (the Blue Ballot Affair) on Saturday January 17.The drive will continue through Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan 19 - an important day of service and giving back in the U.S.A. A complete listing of these events can be found here.
Voters are eligible to register throughout the year, according to the registration deadlines of their home state. State-specific voting dates and deadlines, as well as specific instructions for registering and requesting a ballot, can be found at votefromabroad.org.
According to Martha McDevitt-Pugh, International Chair of Democrats Abroad:
“2026 is the year we wrest control of Congress back from the GOP and rein in the worst abuses of the Trump regime. We have seen from the sweeping Democratic victories in 2025 how roundly American voters oppose the Trump agenda. First we register, then we vote, then we win. That’s what this drive is all about. ”
All Americans living abroad should go to votefromabroad.org TODAY to ensure they’re registered as abroad voters and to find their state’s specific voting guidance. There, they can also receive the support of trained voting experts to help ensure their votes are counted and their voices heard.
About Democrats Abroad
Established in 1964, Democrats Abroad (@DemsAbroad) is the official arm of the Democratic Party for the millions of US citizens living outside of the United States. We strive to provide U.S. citizens abroad a democratic voice in our government and elect Democratic candidates by mobilizing the abroad vote. We are recognized as a State Party by the Democratic National Committee and send delegates to the Democratic National Convention to vote for President and Vice President.
All eligible U.S. citizens abroad can vote. Our nonpartisan online voter registration tool - votefromabroad.org - makes it easy to request a ballot and vote absentee from any place on the planet.