Calling all US Citizens!  Your Vote Matters!

This is a midterm election year — all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial seats are up for grabs in November. As a U.S. citizen you have the right to vote in primary and general elections, no matter where in the world you live!

Calling all US Citizens!  Your Vote Matters!

This is a midterm election year — all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial seats are up for grabs in November. As a U.S. citizen you have the right to vote in primary and general elections, no matter where in the world you live! If you're a U.S. citizen, dual-national, and will be at least 18 on November 8, 2022, you have the right to vote from abroad in US elections — including in the November 2022 midterms!

➡ How to request your overseas ballot

If you haven’t done so already, go to www.votefromabroad.org, select your state and then follow the simple instructions to fill in the online form to complete your ballot request.  When filling out the form, Democrats Abroad strongly recommends that you elect to receive your ballot by email. The Vote From Abroad website has useful information and help available to guide you through the process start to finish.

Once you have submitted your overseas ballot request, Democrats Abroad recommends that you follow up with your Local Election Office to confirm that your ballot was received and approved.  Find your Local Election Office from Vote From Abroad - Your State Rules

➡ How to return your ballot from Italy

Whenever possible Democrats Abroad recommends that you elect to receive and return your ballot electronically by either email, online upload or fax.

You can review the exact ballot return requirements for your state as well as contact information for your Local Election Office from Vote From Abroad – Your State Rules

Regardless of the method your state requires to return your ballot, Democrats Abroad also recommends that you complete and return the ballot as soon as possible, and then follow up with your Local Election Office to ensure it has been received and counted.

➡ Returning your ballot electronically

If your state permits it, returning your ballot by email attachment or online upload are the most assured methods for timely delivery.

If permitted to return your ballot by fax, you may wish to use a free, online fax service that allows you to attach and return your ballot to a US fax number such as www.faxzero.com Here are other options you may choose to return your ballot by fax.

Important! Whether you return your ballot by email, online upload or fax please confirm directly with your State Local Election Officials that your ballot has been received and counted. A number of states allow you to track the status of your ballot.  See Your State Rules, select your state and click Track my ballot.    

Important! Be sure to review your state’s ballot return requirements carefully!  Some states allow you to return the ballot electronically, but also require that you mail the hard copy of the ballot. See Your State Rules

➡ Returning your ballot by mail or courier

✭ ✭ ✭  In 2022, these States must mail in the ballot. Vote as soon as you get your ballot and mail it immediately! Don't wait to return your ballot!!  ✭ ✭ ✭

Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Go to Vote From Abroad - Your State Rules for complete information for your state

Find below three options to return your paper ballot.

Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically

➡ Returning your ballot by DHL

Democrats Abroad Italy has negotiated a special 20% discount for US citizens in Italy returning their midterm paper ballots. 

• The offer is valid from 15 September to 15 November
• Bring your ballot to a DHL Dropoff/Service Center
• Pay at the service center, not online, and request the 20% discount using the code USA20

Note that to use the discount code, you must bring the paper ballot + envelope to a DHL Dropoff/Service Center, the discount is not available through booking online with DHL.  You can find the exact street address of your Local Election Office and its phone number by checking Your State Rules.  In addition, be sure to ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Some states require this, and it is a good practice in general. Find out your state’s requirements here Your State Rules.

➡ Returning your ballot by Italian postal service   

📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌

Please allow at least 4 weeks to return your paper ballot from Italy to your Local Election Office by Italian postal service. 

Be sure to ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Some states require this, and it is a good practice in general. Find out your state’s requirements here Your State Rules.

You can confirm receipt by looking on your state’s website, or looking up your local election officer's contact details See Your State Rules

New York Voters: Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot.

➡ Returning your ballot through the US Embassy Pouch

Important!  If you are planning to use the US Embassy Pouch, you must bring it to an Embassy location (see below) no later than 5 October to be sure that it will arrive at your Local Election Office on time.  Democrats Abroad recommends getting the ballot to the Embassy as soon as possible.

Important! For the diplomatic pouch mail service, you will need U.S. postage on the envelope (not Italian postage), as it will be delivered into the U.S. mail system after transportation to the US by the diplomatic service. You can use the U.S. postage paid return envelope provided with your ballot, or an envelope bearing sufficient U.S. postage. You can download the free U.S. postage-paid ballot return envelope template at FVAP.gov.

➡ The following information is direct from the US Embassy in Italy:

We recommend that if you plan to return your paper ballot to your election officials via the most convenient U.S. embassy/consulate, please return your ballot to them by October 5 to account for transit times between overseas posts and local voting districts.  If you wish to drop off your ballot, or have a friend or colleague drop it off for you, place it in either a postage-paid envelope or envelope bearing domestic U.S. postage addressed to your local election officials. You can download the postage paid envelope from the FVAP.gov website.

Specific Ballot Instructions for Each Embassy/Consulate General:

1. U.S. Embassy Rome – Voting materials can be dropped off at the American Citizen Services window during regular business hours (0830-1300; 1400-1730)
2. U.S. Consulate General Milan – Voting materials can be dropped in the ballot box at the public entrance for access between 0800 and 1700, Monday-Friday.
3. U.S. Consulate General Florence - Voting materials can be dropped in the ballot box located at the public entrance between 0800 and 1700, Monday-Friday.
4. U.S. Consulate General Naples – Voting materials may be deposited in the ballot box at the public entrance between 0800 and 1700, Monday-Friday.