**Press inquiries should be directed to [email protected]**
Dear Overseas Voter,
We have compiled a list of overseas voting resources to help you – and any other U.S. or dual citizen you know living abroad to vote in the November 8 midterm elections. There is still time to vote in most states, but the clock is ticking!
Check each state’s registration, ballot request, and ballot return deadlines for overseas voters at https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/.
- AL, AZ, CO, DC, DE, HI, IN, KS, MA, ME, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OR, RI, SC, UT, WA, and WV allow ballots to be returned by email and/or online upload.
- AR, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, and WY require voted ballots from civilians abroad to be returned by postal mail or express courier (at this point we strongly recommend express courier for all states except OH!).
- AK, CA, FL, LA, and OK allow voted ballots to be returned by fax. How to email-to-fax here: https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BL7.
IF your state allows voted ballots to be returned by email, fax, or online upload, please use that option! It’s quick, easy, and secure!
Details are listed below for each step of the process of voting from abroad. If you need any help, please look at our FAQs, write to [email protected], or
Join us on Zoom for free, live voter help
Our teams are working ‘round the clock through the close of polls to make sure every eligible voter abroad can and does vote! Please share this with any other U.S. or dual citizen you know who’s currently outside of the United States.
And lastly, don’t forget to remind your friends and family in the United States to vote! Domestic voters can find their polling place at www.iwillvote.com.
Thank YOU!!
Democrats Abroad
Requesting your ballot*
Request your ballot at www.votefromabroad.org NOW!
- Send in your ballot request electronically
- Mark to receive your ballot electronically
- If you don't receive your ballot swiftly, please contact your local election office to confirm that received your ballot request and will issue you a ballot electronically ASAP
You can find your local election official’s contact information and your state’s exact ballot request deadline at https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/.
*At the time of this post, ballot request deadlines for overseas voters have passed for: AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NE, NJ, NC, NM, NY, OH, OK, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, and WV.
**AZ, CO, FL, KS, NV, MT, OR, and WA all allow overseas voters to register, request a ballot, and return a ballot entirely electronically through November 8 (if you know anyone living abroad who votes in these states, definitely encourage them to get a ballot and vote!)
Returning your ballot*
Read your ballot instructions carefully — signing, dating, and returning all necessary materials as specified in your instructions.
We encourage you to vote for all of the offices listed on your ballot!
💻 If your state allows you to return your voted ballot by fax, email, or online upload, please use those options NOW to return your ballot!
📬 If your state requires you to return your ballot by postal mail or express courier, please send your ballot NOW by express courier like DHL, FedEx, or UPS! Make sure the express courier service you use puts a visible POSTMARK with the date on the outer envelope!
Democrats Abroad has been able to secure courier discounts for the following countries:
It is definitely too late to use the U.S. Embassy's diplomatic pouch and too late for regular international mail for most states (OH voters should still ONLY use regular international mail).
Ballot return guides are available for:
GA – https://www.democratsabroad.org/ga_ballot_return
PA – https://www.democratsabroad.org/pa_ballot_return
TX – https://www.democratsabroad.org/tx_ballot_return
*IA, ND, OH, and PA require mailed ballots to be postmarked by November 7.
**UT requires emailed and faxed ballots to be received by November 7.
***VT requires mailed ballots to be received by November 7.
****CT, ID, KY, MI, MN, NH, SD, TN, WI, and WY require mailed ballots to be received by November 8.
Tracking your ballot
- Go to https://www.votefromabroad.org/states, and select your state from the drop down menu. Once you’re on your state’s page, scroll to the bottom and click “Track My Ballot”.
- You may need to use a VPN to access the ballot tracking website from outside of the United States. For more on using a VPN, visit https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/TI1.
- You can also contact your election office directly. Their contact details should be listed in your ballot instructions. You can also look them up at https://www.votefromabroad.org/states.
What to do if you voted but your ballot isn’t showing up as received and recorded
- CALL your local election office ASAP and inquire about the status of your ballot. Look up their details at: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states.
- If you can't get in touch with them, or if you do and learn that your ballot hasn't arrived, immediately vote a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (“FWAB,” also known as the “Backup Ballot”) and return it using the quickest method your state allows [see “Returning Ballot” section].
Your state’s deadlines and return methods for overseas absentee ballots apply to Backup Ballots. If both your official voted ballot and Backup Ballot reach your local election office in time, the official ballot will be counted and the Backup Ballot will be voided. If only the Backup Ballot arrives, that will be counted as your vote. More on the Backup Ballot here: https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BB1
What to do if you requested a ballot but never received it
It's time to vote using a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (“FWAB,” also known as the “Backup Ballot”) and return it using the quickest method your state allows [see “Returning Ballot” section].
Your state’s deadlines and return methods for overseas absentee ballots apply to Backup Ballots. If both your official voted ballot and Backup Ballot reach your local election office in time, the official ballot will be counted and the Backup Ballot will be voided. If only the Backup Ballot arrives, that will be counted as your vote. More on the Backup Ballot here: https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BB1
PS Did you know that Democrats Abroad is nearly entirely volunteer run and donation funded? If you found this email helpful, please consider becoming a volunteer yourself and/or donating to support our critical work. Thank you!