Absentee Ballot Procedures for Students/Educators Living Abroad

Students or educators who will be abroad during Federal elections need to fill out the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) to request an Absentee Ballot and/or register to vote. This will allow them to vote in any election for Federal office. Note that this process is different than the procedure to register for domestic absentee voting. Below is an outline of the process:

The Basic Absentee Voting Process for Citizens Abroad
Step 1: Citizen completes and mails the Federal Post Card Application Form (SF-76) well in advance of the election date. Generally, it's best for local election officials to receive the FPCA at least 60 days before the election. If the citizen is both registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot, the FPCA may need to be mailed earlier. Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Form. Step 2: Local Election Official approves Registration request or requests further information. Step 3: Local Election Official mails absentee ballot (usually 30-45 days before an election).* Step 4: Citizen votes and mails the absentee ballot to the Local Election Official in time to meet state deadlines (See state specific information below). *In order to receive an absentee ballot in a timely manner, it is imperative for citizens to keep their local election official informed of address changes. If you do not receive your ballot by two weeks before the election, contact your local election office. Be sure to sign and date your FPCA.

The Basic Absentee Voting Process for Citizens Abroad

Step 1: Citizen completes and mails the Federal Post Card Application Form (SF-76) well in advance of the election date. Generally, it's best for local election officials to receive the FPCA at least 60 days before the election. If the citizen is both registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot, the FPCA may need to be mailed earlier. Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Form.

Step 2: Local Election Official approves Registration request or requests further information.

Step 3: Local Election Official mails absentee ballot (usually 30-45 days before an election).*

Step 4: Citizen votes and mails the absentee ballot to the Local Election Official in time to meet state deadlines (See state specific information below).

*In order to receive an absentee ballot in a timely manner, it is imperative for citizens to keep their local election official informed of address changes. If you do not receive your ballot by two weeks before the election, contact your local election office.

Be sure to sign and date your FPCA.

Additional Information

In order to fill out the FPCA students/educators must be U.S. citizens and 18 years of age or older. (Some states allow persons who are 17 years old to fill out the form at age 17 if they will be 18 years of age at the time of election. See state specific information below).

Access the FPCA (279kb )
Instructions to fill out the FPCA (53kb )

All states and territories accept the FPCA as an application for both voter registration and request an absentee ballot; however, deadlines, addresses, and other procedures vary from state to state. Please consult your state's voting and registration procedures.

View State Specific Information

For more information on the FPCA, please see the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Frequently Asked Questions

Source: Federal Voting Assistance Program