Public Services
Voter Registration
Absentee Voting for United States Citizens
In order to vote in either federal or state elections in the United States, most states require citizens residing abroad to register in the state of his or her "voting residence." A voting residence is the legal residence or domicile in which the voter could vote if present in the state. Military and Merchant Marine members, their spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the domicile (state) that the member claims as his or her residence. Civilian U.S. government employees overseas, their spouses and dependents, will generally register in the state they claim as their legal residence. Overseas citizens (not affiliated to the US government) must vote in their last state of residence immediately prior to departure from the United States. This applies even if many years have elapsed and the voter maintains no abode nor has any intention of returning to that state.
How Do I Vote?
The Embassy does not supply voting ballots. You cannot vote at the Embassy. However, the Embassy does supply the form necessary to request the absentee ballot from your last state of residence. The form is known as the FPCA - Federal Post Card Application. Come by the embassy during business hours to pick up the FPCA.
For more information about voting abroad, please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.
This page was updated on March 23, 2005.