Updated March 22, 2026.
All U.S. voters abroad have high-stakes elections to vote in this November — remember, for Americans abroad, November is NOW.
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US-Bürger (einschliesslich Doppelbürger) haben das Recht, an allgemeinen Wahlen teilzunehmen, unabhängig davon, wo auf der Welt sie leben. Wenn Sie 18 Jahre alt sind, haben Sie das Recht, an der bevorstehenden Wahl teilzunehmen. Wenn Sie Unterstützung auf Deutsch benötigen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte unter [email protected]. Les citoyens américains (y compris les doubles citoyens) ont le droit de voter aux élections générales, quel que soit l'endroit où ils vivent dans le monde. Si vous avez 18 ans, vous avez le droit de voter aux prochaines élections. Si vous avez besoin d'aide en français, veuillez nous contacter à [email protected]. I cittadini statunitensi (compresi i cittadini con doppia cittadinanza) hanno il diritto di voto alle elezioni generali indipendentemente da dove vivono nel mondo. Se hai 18 anni, hai il diritto di votare alle prossime elezioni. Se hai bisogno di supporto in italiano, contattaci a [email protected]. |
🇺🇸 🗳 📣 Make sure you're registered and ready to vote from abroad in 2026.
Protect your vote by submitting your FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) every year—it registers you as an overseas (UOCAVA) voter, requests all eligible ballots, updates your information, and helps guard against voter roll purges. Voters living abroad have special options to send and receive their ballots. Get started at VoteFromAbroad.org.
Returning your Ballot from Switzerland
📌 Ballot return methods — by email/online, fax, or postal mail — vary by state. Always vote and return your ballot as soon as possible, by the fastest method allowed for your state! 📌
Follow the instructions that come with your ballot on how and where to return it. Find your state's ballot return methods here.
Electronic Ballot Return
If your state allows you to email, online upload, or fax your ballot, please use one of these methods - you'll 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 at all possible. Always vote and return your ballot right away, allowing enough time for your ballot to arrive. See below for details on three methods of returning a ballot by postal mail.
Vote 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.
Switzerland International Post
If you would like to send your ballot or other election materials back to the U.S. by Swiss Post, please ensure that you are using sufficient postage:
- CHF 2.50 for up to 20 g
- CHF 4.20 for up to 50 g
- CHF 5.50 for up to 100 g
We recommend getting a stamped postmark establishing the date of mailing so that you can show you have met any "mail by" deadlines for your state.
✅ Note that international mail from Switzerland normally takes from 6 to 10 days.
✅ "U.S. postage-paid" envelopes only work within the U.S. postal service or diplomatic/military mail.
🚨 Caution: Registered mail / international tracking will not work within the U.S. as election mail is expedited; these services can actually slow delivery.
U.S. Embassy or Consulate Diplomatic Mail
The U.S. Embassy in Switzerland does not operate a public diplomatic mail service for sending mail to the U.S. At this time, diplomatic mail services are only provided for official personnel and their dependents.
🚨 Caution: U.S. Embassies and Consulates are NOT polling places. Same-day voting is not available outside of the United States.
International Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
We recommend arranging courier delivery so your ballot is received by Election Day. All states that require postal mail return have confirmed they will accept ballots sent with such couriers. From Switzerland, these services can take between 2 and 6 days.
- Do not require a signature upon delivery, as this may prevent it from being delivered.
- Couriers will not deliver mail to P.O. Boxes - check with your election officials to get a deliverable address for courier mail.
✅ Plan to return your ballot by election day. International couriers may not provide proof of the date of mailing on the outer mailing envelope, so send your ballot so that it arrives before election day.
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.
Depending on your voting location, you may be able to sign up for a ballot tracking service like BallotTrax.
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?
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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].