Voting in the 2025 US Elections from South Africa 

Let’s get ready to vote in the Upcoming 2025 elections! This document aims to provide you with guidance and resources to facilitate the process of voting from South Africa. 

If you're a U.S. citizen or dual-national abroad, who will be 18 on or before 4 November 2025, you have the right to vote from abroad. 

While this isn’t a Presidential/Federal election year, there are a few Special Congressional Elections, along with many State and Local elections, some of which we can vote in. 

IMPORTANT: Each state has different rules, timeframes and processes. Some overseas voters may be eligible to vote in local and state elections. Please check your state-specific information now at www.votefromabroad.org/states and plan. Follow your state’s timeframes and procedures carefully to ensure your 2025 vote counts!

More than half of the states now allow for electronic transmission of ballots from overseas voters but other states require “mail-in / postal” return of ballots. If your state requires mail-in-/postal return, please see the options below. Please DO NOT use regular international post from South Africa. 

Democrats Abroad provides access to all the info you’ll need on the Vote from Abroad website (www.votefromabroad.org) This doc serves to provide information specific to voting from South Africa. 

VOTE FROM ABROAD (VFA) 

We suggest voters use Vote from Abroad (VFA) (www.votefromabroad.org), a nonpartisan service of Democrats Abroad, to request your ballot and access your state info.  

Get started now:

1. Request your overseas absentee ballots - start on the homepage to complete your Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) and submit it. Submit the FPCA annually. If you’re not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a registration form. www.votefromabroad.org
2. Check your state’s voting procedures and timeframes – make a voting plan! https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/
3. Answer any questions from the FAQs section or ask for help. https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/

VOTING OPTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

·      Electronic for the States that allow

·      Courier

·      US Consulate Diplomatic Pouch (by 30 Sept latest)

·      Backup FWAB (If absentee ballot requested but not received)

·      Please DO NOT use regular international post from South Africa

IMPORTANT DATES – Vote in advance! 

20 Sept           

Ballot Day - Absentee ballots should be received by email (if requested prior to this date)  

20 Sept – 6 Oct

Vote! Complete & return your ballot early to ensure it arrives safely. 

30 Sept           

Drop-off deadline for voters from states that require mail-in / postal submission who wish to use the diplomatic pouch service of the US Consulates in Cape Town, Durban or Joburg.

6 Oct              

Strongly suggested deadline for all DASA voters to have submitted their ballots. Some states allow for last minute voting electronically, but let’s play it safe! 

REQUEST YOUR BALLOT / REGISTER TO VOTE

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

If you have not already applied for an absentee ballot this year, please do so now. This should be done every year. You can do this via www.votefromabroad.org

IMPORTANT:

·      You can use your last residence in the US or your parents’ address

·      If you have never lived in the US but are eligible to vote, click here  https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/reside

·      Make sure to fill in all sections

·      Selecting “Intend to return” will provide you with access to the full ballot (state and federal). For more info see Filling out the Federal Post Card Application: https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/

·      Ensure you provide a South African address and a phone number

·      Select “Receive absentee ballot by email” and ensure your email address is clear

·      Make sure you have signed the FPCA (they will compare this signature with the one on your ballot)

IMPORTANT DATE: 20 September 2025

Ballots for any 2025 elections you’re eligible for will be sent to you via email by your local election officials from 20 September – Ballot Day – 45 days before the election. If you have further questions on eligibility please contact your local officials.

IMPORTANT DATES: 20 September – 6 October 2025

It all comes down to the number of people who actually vote. Please vote!

Every absentee ballot is always counted (not just in close elections)

IMPORTANT:

·      Follow the instructions for your ballot carefully and completely!

·      Ensure your handwriting is legible.

·      Make sure you sign and date your ballot.

·      Confirm that your ballot has been received and counted by emailing your local official or using the state’s online portal.

·      State-specific info available at   https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/

·      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 any other person to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed.

About half of the states now provide options for voters to return their ballots electronically. 

See what your state requires: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/

IMPORTANT: 

If your state allows for electronic ballot return, we strongly suggest you use it.

More info here - https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT1

§  If returning by fax or email: return each ballot separately.

§  If sending via fax – where allowed by specific states:  https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT4
https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT5

Online Fax options: HelloFax, FaxZero, eFax, or FaxPlus

Fax applications: CocoFax, RingCentral, GeniusFax, iFax, and WiseFax

 See what your state requires: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/

If your state requires you to return your ballot by mail / post we have two options from South Africa – courier or diplomatic pouch.

Please DO NOT use regular international post from South Africa. 

If sending via the US Consulate Diplomatic Pouch: 

The Diplomatic Pouch has been a great way to send our ballots in past years and the US Consulates in South Africa are providing this service in 2025 but it takes time and when the ballots reach the US they then travel by US Postal Service so they require postage and the complete process can take several weeks – we highly suggest the drop-off deadline of Tuesday 30 September.  NOTE: South Africa celebrates Heritage Day on Wed 24 September 2025 so Consulates will be closed. 

·      Follow your ballot instructions carefully!

·      You can print the postage-paid envelopes at https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms

·      Friends may have stamps to share 

·      If sending back more than one ballot via the diplomatic bag - close and seal each ballot separately. Drop off individually sealed ballots in pre-paid postage envelopes or with a US postage stamp (domestic postage) at your local Consulate (by Sept 30)

·      If you hope to mail your overseas absentee ballot from within the US, please contact your Local Election Officer to confirm that it will be accepted. All states have different rules.

You do not need an appointment to drop off your ballot for the diplomatic pouch but there are limited drop-off hours for 2025!

U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg

1 Sandton Drive, Sandton

15:00-16:00 Monday-Thursday

8:30-11:30 Friday

Email questions to: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Cape Town

2 Reddam Avenue, Steenberg Estate, Westlake, Cape Town

8:00-12:00 and 13:00- 16:00 Monday-Thursday

8:00-11:00 Friday

Email questions to: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Durban

303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme St., 31^st Fl, Delta Towers, Durban Central

13:00-16:00 Mon-Thurs
8:00-11:00 Fri 

**NOTE FROM The Consulate in Durban: "Please ensure that an e-mail is sent to advise the estimated time of drop off as there maybe days when the office is closed and we can advise accordingly.

Email questions & estimated drop-off time to: [email protected]

If sending by Courier: 

·      We suggest sending it by October 13^th  (don’t wait till it’s late!)

·      If sending back more than one ballot by courier to the same local officials- close and seal each ballot separately. Then put all into the courier envelope.

·      You must ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope.

·      We do not recommend booking or paying online for courier service. You will not receive a postmark if you book or pay online.

·      Track your package to ensure it’s delivered on time and confirm it’s been received. 

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

A backup ballot 

As long as you have already applied for your absentee ballot the FWAB serves as a backup ballot if 1) you want to vote extra early or 2) your ballot doesn’t arrive on time. 

For more info on using the FWAB Backup Ballot - https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BB1

You can complete the FWAB online   https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice

but you will need to print it and submit according to your state’s rules.

IMPORTANT:

·      If you’ve requested your ballot but don’t see it in your email (by 24 Sept) – first check your spam folder – it will come from your local election official 

·      Make sure to fill in the form carefully and completely

·      Sign the form with the same signature you used on your absentee ballot application

·      Write in the names of the candidates of your choice. If you have not received your list of candidates, you can write in “Democrat” for all. This list should be available in Sept after primaries are concluded. It will be sent out with absentee ballots or you can request from local officials.

·      Make sure you sign the secrecy page too. 

Help is available! 

State by State Info - https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/

FAQs - https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/
You’ll find the answers to most questions here! 

Global Help Desk Email -  [email protected]

Helpdesk - The icon on the bottom right of the VFA website opens the chat/help function – it’s staffed by experienced Democrats Abroad/VFA Volunteers living around the world.

Need help scanning? Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone.

Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) will be available to assist but we are not experts, and every state has different rules, so we strongly encourage you to use the above resources to prepare and to do so early. You can contact DASA at [email protected]

 It’s very important to vote your ballot completely. The simplest way is to vote for Democrats straight down the ballot. Some elected positions do not have a party affiliation directly associated with the party, like school boards, judges, and others. To determine who to vote for in those cases, you can do the following:

§  Google your local US Democratic Party

§  League of Women Voters offers a personalized ballot service at https://www.vote411.org/ballot . You can learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues. You can print or email the information to use as a reference when you vote.

§  Google: Ballotpedia "your state" elections 2025 - Example: Ballotpedia Texas elections 2025

§  You can Google the candidate's name to find their campaign website and information about each person.

 Every vote counts! Please vote. 

Thank you,

Democrats Abroad South Africa

[email protected]