How to Vote from Japan in 2025 US Elections
There are important elections in Florida, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. If you vote in one of these states, check below to see how to vote from Japan!
Can I still register to vote?
This depends on your state - go to votefromabroad.org and click on "Your State Rules" to check your states’ info or to confirm your registration status.
How can I return my ballot from Japan?
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.
Ballot return methods – by email, online, postal mail, fax – vary by state. Return your ballot as soon as possible. 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.
Sending via post - Only use postal mail if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌
✅ Japan Post international mail is reliable but may take up to 3 weeks so we suggest you mail your ballots 3 weeks by the deadline if you want to use regular international mail (only 160 yen!)
➡ Sending via Express Service:
✅ EMS in Japan costs 3900 yen and usually arrives within 1 week. If it’s past the 3-week mark before the deadline but before 1 week, we suggest sending your ballot via EMS. Local election officials will not sign for envelopes, so do not select that option. You should make sure a postmark or date stamp is placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state’s requirements here.
➡Sending via courier
✅ Courier options, such as FedEx, Yamato Transport, and DHL, may be faster if it’s within 1 week of deadline for returning your ballot. Please check the sites for rates. Remember not to select “sign on delivery” and be sure a postmark or date stamp is placed on the outer envelope.
➡ Sending via the Embassy / Consulate
✅ For sending ballots via the diplomatic pouch, the U.S. Embassy in Japan recommends planning so your completed ballot reaches the Embassy at least 3 weeks prior to the election. Since regular Japan Post international mail is generally reliable and could take about as long, we don’t recommend the diplomatic pouch.
What if I have not yet gotten by ballot
- Check your spam
- Email or call your Local Election Official to verify - look up the contact information on VoteFromAbroad.org at: Your State Rules (select your state, then scroll down to “Find Your Election Office”)
- Fill out the Backup Ballot (FWAB) on FVAP. For more information on the Backup Ballot, check here
Any questions? Need some 1 on 1 support? Contact the Japan leadership at [email protected], contact the Voter Help Team at [email protected].
**Important Note:** There is **no in-person voting** in Japan/U.S. Embassy in Japan for U.S. elections.
Useful links
- Vote From Abroad
- US Embassy Japan
- Having trouble? Need help? 😕 Questions? [email protected]
It’s time to vote in the 2025 Elections! In just a few steps, make your voice heard from Japan:
- Make sure you’re eligible to vote
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Visit VotefromAbroad.org to
- check your state’s voting requirements
- complete the Federal Postcard Application, register to vote, AND
- request your absentee ballot
- Check the status of your absentee ballot request
- Fill out and send in your absentee ballot
- Confirm your absentee ballot arrived.
1) Make sure you’re eligible to vote.
You’re eligible to vote from Japan if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or binational Japanese/US citizen.
- You will be 18 on the date of the election you are voting in.
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Generally, U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections even if you weren’t born in the US or have never lived there.
- (check your state’s rules here - https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/reside
2) Visit www.votefromabroad.org
- Check your state’s voting requirements
- Complete the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) click here
- Register to vote, AND
-
Request your absentee ballot for your
- Home state primary
- The Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary
- Home state general election
To complete the FPCA click here the Start an FPCA button.
- Complete the FPCA as accurately as possible, specifying the method you wish to receive your blank absentee ballot – email is recommended as you’ll receive it as soon as it is sent (check your state’s requirements here).
- Submit your completed FPCA to the appropriate election officials (available from a dropdown list and based on your US voting address) via email, fax, or regular mail; most states allow emailing from www.votefromabroad.org (check your state’s requirements here).
- Save contact info of your local election officials, generated upon completion of the FPCA.
- Questions? Go to VFA’s FAQ section or email [email protected].
3) Check the status of your absentee ballot request ☑️
- Email or call your local election officials to confirm its receipt and that they will be sending you a blank absentee ballot.
- Use the contact info saved when you completed your FPCA, or look up their contact info here.
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Watch for your blank absentee ballot
- By law, states are required to start sending overseas absentee ballots 45 days before the election.
- Check spam or junk folders if you chose to receive your ballot by email.
- Check with your local election officials using the contact info you saved during the FPCA process (or check here) if you haven’t received your ballot when you think you should
- Send in a new ballot request form if necessary, just go to www.votefromabroad.org.
- If you have to physically mail your ballot back and are concerned you won’t receive it in time to mail it back by your state’s deadline, send in a backup ballot, the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) – go to https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/BB1 to complete the FWAB online (you may need to print and submit, depending on your state). All details about the Backup Ballot can be found here.
4) Fill out and send in your absentee ballot 🗳️
Fill out your absentee ballot
- Fill it out as completely as possible
- For help deciding on candidates and ballot initiatives:
- Your state or local Democratic Party website
- League of Women Voters
- Ballotpedia
- Candidate’s campaign website
- Note some elected positions – such as judges and school boards in some states – are non-partisan.
Return your completed ballot
- Return via email (fastest), fax, online upload, or postal mail (least recommended) to the local election official specified on the ballot by the specified deadline; check ballot requirements for your state here.
- If posting your ballot, follow the exact package instructions.
5) Confirm your absentee ballot arrived 🗳️
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- Follow up with your local election official using the contact info you saved during the FPCA process (or check here) – don’t be afraid to be persistent.
- Go to VotefromAbroad here and scroll down the page and click Track Your Ballot.
Watch a video on how to use www.votefromabroad.org in English |
Need Help?
- If you have questions, email **[email protected]** or join **ZoomTheVote** for live assistance.
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
For comprehensive details, visit **votefromabroad.org**.