With young adults making up a key population of today’s voters, study abroad students truly have the power to make a difference with their voice—and their vote!—during election season (even if they are having the adventure of their lives outside of the U.S.). To make sure that being abroad doesn’t get in the way of your vote, we’ve created a guide for how to vote from abroad.
If you’re studying abroad and will be out of the country on Election Day (November 5th) you’ll need to register for a federal absentee ballot using the process below to cast your vote.
We realize this might be your first time voting, but no worries, we’ve gathered some resources to help you along the way – you got this! Now, let’s make your vote count!
Determine Where or If You Are Registered to Vote
Not sure if you're registered to vote? Visit the U.S. Vote Foundation to double check.
Regardless if an election is federal, state, or local, you will need to register to vote in your state of residence. Your state of residence can be either your home state or the state where you attend college, but you can only register to vote in one state. If you're unsure where you want to register to vote as a student attending college out of state, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has a detailed guide to help you decide.
Familiarize Yourself with Your State’s Voting Policies
All voting forms are based on your state of residence. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) offers helpful state-specific links to learn more about the policies and specific requirements of your state of residence. Find your state’s voting webpages, and do some educational research.
Heads up: there is a lot of information out there—but don’t get discouraged! You can do this, and we’re here to help. For now, just keep that webpage open in another window so you can find state-specific information if you need it.
Complete a Federal Post Card Application
What: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a multi-function form. With this form, you can register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and update contact information.
When: As soon as possible!
Process: While there are a few ways to complete and return the FPCA, we recommend following these steps to complete it digitally:
1) Visit FVAP’s How to Vote Absentee from Abroad webpage, select “Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), and select your state.
2) From there, complete the FPCA and all of its sections (State, Jurisdiction, Classification, My Information, Residence, Address, Ballot Receipt, Additional Information, and Review). While completing the electronic form, pay close attention to the addresses: Voting Residence - Your permanent address in the United States where you are registered to vote, and Mailing Address - The IES Abroad Center in your host city
3) Follow the instructions given to print and sign your FPCA.
Receive, Complete & Submit Your Ballot
What: A ballot is a way to confidentially cast your vote. Your ballot is unique to you, and should be treated as such—meaning, if you requested a mail-in ballot, you should return your ballot individually rather than mailing one package with ballots from you and your classmates.
Pro Tip: We know you want to celebrate your vote, but keep your ballot out of any voting selfies to ensure your vote won’t be invalidated!
When: According to the Overseas Vote Foundation’s Guide on Voting from Abroad if your ballot request was received by your state’s deadline, you must receive a ballot no later than 45 days before the election. The timing for receiving your ballot prior to election day may vary, the U.S. Vote Foundation has a helpful tool that allows you to rack your ballot based on the state your voting in check out their Ballot Tracker here.
Process: Depending on how you requested your ballot to be delivered, you may receive a hard copy ballot at the mailing address you provided (the IES Abroad Center) or a ballot to your inbox.
Electronic ballots – Each state has its own way to accept your ballot, so be sure to follow the instructions provided. You can see the state guidelines by selecting your state on The U.S. Vote Foundation’s State Voting Requirements and Information webpage.
Hard copy ballots – Follow the instructions on your ballot and mail it back right away. Familiarize yourself with the deadline to return your ballot, and keep possible postal delays in mind. Remember, you can view all deadlines by selecting your state on the How to Vote Absentee from Abroad webpage.
Still haven’t received your ballot? A last resort is to complete the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)—an emergency backup form.
Pat Yourself on the Back! You Voted!
Congratulations — you've exercised your right to vote! It's an awesome, exciting thing, and we're proud of you for participating and using your voice.
Questions? Your local election official is your main contact. He or she will be able to answer any questions you have about the voting process. Once abroad, the IES Abroad Center and local U.S. Embassy are great resources.
We want study abroad students to vote. Now that you know how to vote from abroad, help us spread the word! Feel free to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, via email, or any other way you'd like.
Interested in more information on voting abroad? Check out the Overseas Citizen Voter section of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website, the Overseas Vote Foundation, or another nonpartisan guide dedicated to helping U.S. citizens vote from abroad.
