Register & Request Your Ballot
Step 1 — Check How Your State Accepts Ballot Requests
🗺️ Map of States: FPCA / Ballot Request Return Methods
Good news for most voters: If your state is shown in blue on this map, you can request your ballot entirely online — including uploading a photo of your signature. No printing needed. Easy!
If your state requires printing for registration or ballot request, here's what to do:
- If your state requires printing for registration only (not ballot request) — first confirm your registration status with your Local Election Official (LEO) at votefromabroad.org/states
- If your state requires you to print and submit your ballot request or registration — go to our Printing & Faxing in Japan guide →
| View FPCA Return Map → | Use your browser's back arrow (or swipe right on iPhone) to return to this page. |
Step 2 — Complete the FPCA at votefromabroad.org
Go to www.votefromabroad.org to check your state's requirements, complete the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA), register to vote, and request your absentee ballot.
- Click Start an FPCA on votefromabroad.org
- Fill it out as accurately as possible
- Request your ballot by email — you'll receive it as soon as it's sent, and email delivery protects you from postal delays
- Submit your FPCA to your local election officials via email, fax, or mail — most states allow email directly from votefromabroad.org
- Save the contact info for your local election officials — you will need it to follow up
Need to print your FPCA? See our Printing & Faxing in Japan guide for step-by-step combini (convenience store) instructions.
Step 3 — Watch for Your Ballot
- By law, states must send overseas ballots at least 45 days before the election
- Check your spam or junk folder if you requested by email
- Contact your local election officials if your ballot hasn't arrived when expected
- You can submit a new ballot request at any time at votefromabroad.org
If you vote in a mail-return-only state: We strongly recommend also sending a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup. See our Ballot Help & Tracker page for details on why this matters in 2026.
|
Questions? VoteFromAbroad FAQ votefromabroad.org/faqs |
DA Voter Help Team [email protected] |