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A Step-by-Step Guide for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
If you are a U.S. citizen living in the United Kingdom, you still have the right to vote in U.S. elections—and your vote matters.
2026 is a U.S. midterm election year. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 U.S. Senate seats will be decided. These elections determine control of Congress and shape policies that affect Americans at home and abroad. In addition, many abroad citizens can vote in critically important state and local elections, where participation is often low and abroad votes can be the ‘margin of victory.’
The most important step you can take TODAY is requesting your overseas ballot.
Overseas voting is protected under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which guarantees Americans abroad the ability to vote absentee in federal elections.
The easiest way to request your ballot is through VoteFromAbroad.org, supported by Democrats Abroad, or through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
⏱ It only takes about 5 minutes.
The 5-Minute Action That Protects Your Vote
Step 1: Register and Request Your Ballot (Do This Now)
The single most important thing you must do to vote from abroad is submit the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
The FPCA allows you to:
- Register to vote (if you are not already registered)
- Request your absentee ballot
- Update your voter information
- Register as an overseas voter, giving you special federal protections
- Protect yourself from voter roll purges
- Ensure you receive ballots for any elections you are eligible to vote in during the year
You can complete it online in minutes at:
👉 VoteFromAbroad.org
Eligibility:
- You are a U.S. citizen
- You will be 18 years old by election day
You vote in the last state where you lived in the U.S. (or where your U.S. citizen parent last lived)
💡 Important: The U.S. State Department recommends submitting a new FPCA every year to ensure you remain on overseas voter rolls.
📌 Tip: Request to receive your ballot by email or online download so you receive it immediately when ballots are released.
Step 2: Confirm Your Request
After submitting your FPCA:
- Your local election office may confirm receipt within a few days.
- If you do not hear back, contact them to confirm they received your request.
- Always check your spam or junk folder for election emails.
Your local election office contact information will be included in the instructions generated when you submit the FPCA.
Step 3: Receive Your Ballot
Under federal law, states must send absentee ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before federal elections. This includes primaries. For the November 3, 2026 general election, you will receive your ballot by September 19 – if you have completed the FPCA.
Your ballot may arrive via:
- Online download
- Postal mail
📌 Best option: electronic delivery (email or online download)
This allows you to vote immediately and return your ballot faster, avoiding postal delays. The number one reason ballots are rejected is that they are LATE!
Step 4: If Your Ballot Has Not Arrived
If you are waiting for your ballot:
- Check your spam folder.
- Contact your local election office to confirm the ballot was sent.
Do not wait until the last minute – delays happen.
If necessary, you can still vote using the backup ballot option described below.
Step 5: Vote Your Entire Ballot
Once you receive your ballot:
Follow the instructions carefully and vote the entire ballot you receive.
Why this matters:
- Many important offices are decided by very small margins
- Local offices and ballot initiatives can have major impacts on communities
Reliable resources to research candidates include:
- Ballotpedia
- League of Women Voters
- Vote411
Always verify that information comes from trustworthy sources.
Step 6: Return Your Ballot as Quickly as Possible
Return options vary by state and may include:
- Online upload
- Fax
- Postal mail
📌 If your state allows electronic return, use it.
Electronic return is:
- Fast
- Free
- Not affected by international mail delays
If your state allows fax but you do not have a fax machine, you can use an email-to-fax service such as:
- FaxZero
- FaxPlus
- Dropbox Fax
- GeniusFax
- CocoFax
Always confirm that your fax transmission was successful.
Step 7: If Your State Requires Postal Mail
If you must return your ballot by mail, send it as soon as you vote.
BALLOT DAY FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 ELECTION IS SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
Options from the UK include:
Royal Mail
International delivery via Royal Mail.
Tips:
- Use sufficient international postage*
- Ask for a clear postmark
- Do not require a signature upon delivery
- Do not track; send using standard First Class Airmail
*The preprinted ballot return envelope template includes the words “No Postage Necessary” but that is only if returned from within the USA. We’ve heard anecdotes that well meaning Royal Mail staff have told customers that postage is not required – it is!
International Couriers
Courier services such as:
Important:
- Couriers cannot deliver to U.S. P.O. boxes
- You may need to request a street address from your election office
Diplomatic Mail
Ballots may also be sent through the United States Embassy London diplomatic mail system, but it is not recommended.
Important notes:
- This option can take several weeks
- You must use U.S. postage or a U.S. postage-paid election envelope because upon arrival in the US the pouch contents must enter the US Postal system
- Embassies and consulates are not polling places.
Protect Your Vote with a Backup Ballot
Step 8: Use the Backup Ballot (FWAB)
Overseas voters have access to a special backup ballot called the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
This ballot can be used:
- If your official ballot never arrives
- If you are worried about missing the return deadline
- As insurance if you must mail your ballot
You can only use this ballot if you have completed a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) this calendar year – so another reason to submit the form each calendar year.
To complete a backup ballot, visit:
👉 Federal Voting Assistance Program
Instructions:
- Write the office and candidate name
or - Write the political party (example: “Senator — Democrat”)
You can also vote on ballot initiatives.
If both ballots are received by the Local Election Official, only the official ballot will be counted. This is not voting twice.
Confirm Your Vote Was Counted
Step 9: Track Your Ballot
After returning your ballot, confirm it was received and accepted by your election office.
You can track it through your state’s ballot tracking system via:
👉 VoteFromAbroad.org
This step gives you peace of mind that your vote was successfully counted.
Final Step: Help Another American Vote
Step 10: Spread the Word
Millions of Americans live abroad, but many never vote simply because they do not realize they can.
After you vote:
- Tell a friend
- Share the link to www.votefromabroad.org
- Encourage other Americans abroad to request their ballots
You can even download a digital “I Voted” sticker from the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
The Most Important Thing to Do Today
If you remember only one thing:
👉 Request your overseas ballot now.
Go to:
VoteFromAbroad.org
It takes five minutes, and it ensures that your voice is heard in the 2026 election.
Your vote matters—no matter where in the world you live. 🇺🇸🗳️
