How To Vote From China
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U.S. citizens can vote in primary and general elections, wherever they reside!
If you are a U.S. citizen, dual-national, or will be 18 by Election Day, you have the right to vote abroad in US elections! Vote From Abroad provides all the information, forms, and support help in one place to make voting easy! Please note that there is no in-person voting, all voters in China must register and submit an overseas absentee ballot.
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2025 Elections
📣 Wisconsin: ALL Wisconsin voters should use COURIER SERVICES ONLY from March 1 📣
HOW TO EXPRESS SHIP YOUR BALLOT USING SF EXPRESS:
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- Be sure you select "send from Mainland China to International"
- Fill out your address information and your Local Election Official's address information
- Schedule the pickup within an hour!
- Be sure the date/time are stamped on the outside envelope.
- Track your ballots using the app. Also, log into your state portal to track 1) your ballot was received/accepted, and 2) your ballot was counted/rejected.
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KEY POINTS FOR VOTING
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What's covered on this page:
1. Registering to vote and requesting your ballot
2. Confirming your request has been accepted
7. Checking twice to prevent mistakes
8. Confirming your ballot's arrival
9. What to do if you encounter difficulties
10. Getting your "I Voted from China" Stickers
1. Get ballot ready in 2025:
First, request your ballot/register to vote from abroad. Do this every election year to ensure you remain on your state’s overseas voter rolls and your local election office has your up-to-date contact information. It’s important to register as an absentee voter from abroad because the ballots of US citizens voting abroad have special protections, different from the standard absentee ballot.
Visit votefromabroad.org to fill out your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) absentee ballot request — it is fully digital and fast! The FPCA also serves as a voter registration form. Choose the option to receive ballots by email.
Second, submit the FPCA absentee ballot request form to your local election office in the United States. Most states allow you to submit your FPCA directly from votefromabroad.org without needing to print it. Some states require that you submit your completed form by email attachment, fax, or postal mail. State deadlines and submission methods can be found here.
If you have questions while filling out your request form, go to the Vote from Abroad FAQ section or type your question in the website's chat box (red circle in the bottom right-hand corner of each screen). Or you can email us at [email protected].
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Watch a video on how to use votefromabroad.org. |
2. Confirming your request has been accepted ✅
After submitting your FPCA absentee ballot request form contact your Local Election Official (LEO). Your LEO's contact information can be found in the instructions generated when you fill out your FPCA form at Vote from Abroad. Contact info can also be found here.
Most states provide a website where you can verify your voter status. To find your state's website, click here and scroll down to “Where Is My Ballot?"
3. Receiving your ballot 📬
Your overseas absentee ballot is not your standard absentee ballot back home! Thanks to the MOVE Act, all states must send FPCA-requested absentee ballots to overseas voters no later than 45 days before a federal election.
Once requested, all states must send overseas voters their ballot by email.
4. Your ballot hasn’t arrived? 📭
Check your spam folder. Still no ballot? Contact your local election official here and confirm they’ve sent your ballot to you. Visit votefromabroad.org if you are required to submit a new FPCA absentee ballot request form.
Use a Back-up Ballot (FWAB) if your regular ballot hasn’t arrived. Download the FWAB HERE.
5. Completing your ballot 🗳️
Every race matters! It’s easier than ever to read up on candidates and ballot initiatives. Some state ballots will not list party affiliation for certain offices, such as school boards and judges. To determine who to vote for in 2025, you can do the following:
- Visit Ballotpedia, where every state and election are listed.
- Check the League of Women Voters personalized ballot service.
- Find DA China on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Check out our graphic guides and follow candidates running in various state races.
➡️ Be sure to vote in every election listed on your ballot ⬅️
6. There are lots of ways to return your ballot!
📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌
Ballot return methods – by email, online, postal mail, fax – vary by state. Always return your ballot as quickly as possible, especially if your state only allows postal mail returns. Find your state's exact ballot return methods here.
If your state allows ballot returns via email, online upload, or fax, please use these options! They are faster than postal mail and not subject to delay. More information on fax submission.
New Jersey: Please note that New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but requires that the ballot ALSO be sent by postal mail.
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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 |
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States requiring ballot return via mail:
Arkansas ✭ Connecticut ✭ Georgia ✭ Idaho ✭ Illinois ✭ Iowa ✭ Kentucky ✭ Maryland ✭ Michigan ✭ Minnesota ✭ Missouri ✭ New Hampshire ✭ New Jersey ✭ New York ✭ Ohio ✭ Pennsylvania ✭ South Dakota ✭ Tennessee ✭ Texas ✭ Vermont ✭ Virginia ✭ Wisconsin ✭ Wyoming
New York: Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot. Remember to add a HARD COPY of your ballot request (Federal Postcard Application).
Visit www.votefromabroad.org/states for specific information by state.
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➡️➡️➡️ Courier Service:
✅ This is the best way to ensure your ballot arrives expediently and is counted. Please send your ballot as soon as possible, as even courier services can experience delays.
🚫 Courier services will not ship to PO Boxes. Please contact your local election office for a street address.
🚫 Local election officials will not sign for courier envelopes, do not select that option.
💯 You should – and some states require you – ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state’s requirements here.
✅ 30 Days Left: Please courier all ballots and FWABs!
❌ International Postal Service: This is not a valid option with fewer than 30 days remaining, and not a recommended method of ballot return overall. If using China Post, you should – and some states require you – ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state’s requirements here.
❌ The U.S. Embassy and all Consulates in China have a diplomatic pouch
The U.S. Consulate in China requests that ballots sent by the diplomatic pouch be dropped off no later than four (4) weeks before the ballot receipt deadline in your state. Place your ballots in U.S. postage-paid return envelopes (may be provided with your ballot) or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage. Download a free envelope at FVAP.gov. This download can be cut and pasted onto an envelope of any size or even printed directly onto an envelope.
Have a November election? In China, the deadline to drop off ballots will always be before October Consulates are closed on U.S. and Chinese holidays, meaning they are closed on/by October 1st.
- Homepage of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China
- Information for using the Embassy and Consulates in your area
📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌
7. Check It Twice! 👀
Review all ballot instructions carefully. Read each section carefully, and reach out to voter assistance with questions. Many states have folding and packaging rules. Follow all rules listed in your ballot materials and the email in which your ballot materials were sent.
Regardless of how you send in your ballot, remember that you – the voter – must be the one who places it “in the mail.” In some states, it is unlawful for anyone else to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed. Unsure? Find out your state’s requirements here.
8. Follow Through ✓✓✓
Follow up with your local election official to know when your ballot arrives. Check to see if you made any curable mistakes. Do not wait - be sure your 2025 ballot will be counted before Election Day.
The easiest way to ensure your ballot has arrived is to go to "Track Your Ballot" on your state’s website. You can also look up your local election office's contact details here and contact them directly. Be persistent!
9. Having trouble? Need help? 😕
We're here to help! Email: [email protected], or contact [email protected]. Add us on WeChat, username Lizconsin. Call us on Zoom: VoteFromAbroad.org/Voter-Support.
10. Get your "I Voted from China" sticker
Find printable “I Voted from China” stickers here.
DACN has city- and country-specific "I Voted" stickers and pins. Pins can be purchased. Volunteers will have stickers at our events. Can't make it? Email Democrats Abroad China for printable stickers. Please connect via social media, WeChat, or email [email protected].
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Thank you for voting!
Please click below 👇 to let us know!
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★ Elections Matter ★
Change is possible.
Change is knocking on your door.
Change has come in the form of a ballot your local election official mailed, e-mailed, or sent you via an online portal.
Vote in 2025 elections, so we may all enjoy a safer, more equitable tomorrow.
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