How to Vote from Australia

Make sure you’re registered and ready to vote from abroad in 2026.

Protect your vote: by sending in 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. The process is entirely online and assistance is available. Exercise your rights - start at VotefromAbroad.org.

Returning your Ballot From Australia

Ballot return methods vary by state and include online portals, email, fax, and mailing. Find your state's ballot return methods here. Always use an online option if possible to avoid postal delays.

📌 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 possible to ensure deadlines don't pass while your ballot is in transit. You should always vote and return your ballot as soon as possible, allowing enough time for your ballot to arrive. See below for details on three methods of returning a ballot by postal mail.

Consider using 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.

• U.S. Embassy or Consulate, Diplomatic Pouch:  This service is free of charge.  You must allow at least 30 days for the ballot to reach its destination.  The completed ballot package must include U.S. postage on the outer envelope unless it has postage paid indicia such as the one on the envelope template you can obtain here.  You must drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, during the following hours: 
• U.S. Consulate General, Sydney – between 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Monday – Thursday).
•  U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne – between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
•  U.S. Consulate General, Perth – between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
• U.S. Embassy, Canberra – between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Friday)

• Australia Post:  Choosing an option that requires a signature is important because some local election offices may only have a Post Office (PO) box address and, even if there is a street address, obtaining a signature may be difficult.  Check with your local registrar's office.
• Economy Air (just over $4AUD):  It is currently taking over a month for Economy Air mail to reach certain U.S. destinations.
  
• Courier ($108AUD, advertised as 2-4 business days) and appears not to require a signature.
• Standard ($20AUD):  AusPost estimates this delivery method takes 5-9 business days, and it does not require a signature. 
• Express (from $40AUD, advertised as 3-6 business days) requires a signature.
  
• Commercial Carriers:  You may use a courier, if election officials in your state will accept completed ballots sent by private carrier and if your local election office does not use a PO Box address.  Do not use a service that requires a signature on receipt.
• Costs range from approximately $19-A$85AUD, with a delivery time ranging from 2-6 business days, for a letter weighing approximately .06 kg (about 2 ounces).  UPS, for example, has been quoted at approximately $65AUD (3-4 business days), and FedEx at A$83 (3-5 business days).
• If you are considering using a commercial carrier to send your ballot to a friend or relative for delivery or drop-off to your local election office, make sure you get advice from your local election office as to what is permitted first, as every state has different rules. 

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].