Overseas Voting: Fast. Easy. Anywhere. Be an active voter in the upcoming 2020 General Election!
U.S. Embassy Islamabad and U.S. Consulates Karachi and Lahore have resumed ballot collection for the upcoming November 3 General Election. While the fastest way to return your ballot will be electronically or via fax, if your state allows it, you may also drop your ballot off with us, and we will mail it for you. Please email the Embassy or Consulates directly to find out how to drop off your ballot.
In order to vote in the November 3 General Election, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2020. Whether you are a first-time voter or have previously received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete a new FPCA each year to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.
Follow these Steps to Vote
- Register to Vote: Confirm your voter registration with your state. Some states require absentee voters to register annually, so you may need to re-register. Visit FVAP.gov to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more.
- Request Your Ballot: Most states provide the option to request ballots through their state election portals, which you can easily access via FVAP.gov. You can also choose to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Completing the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices, including primaries and special elections, during the calendar year in which the ballot is submitted. All local election officials in every U.S. state and territory accept FPCA forms that are correctly filled out and include a signature and date. FVAP’s easy online assistant can assist you with completing the FPCA.
Whether you request your ballot through your state’s portal or the FPCA, we encourage you to select the option to receive your ballot electronically (by email, internet download, or fax) when available. This is the fastest way to get your ballot and ensure you have it in time to return a completed form before your state’s voting deadline. - Receive and Complete Your Ballot: States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office, and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. Most states allow you to confirm your ballot delivery online.
- Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot: Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically or via fax. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can drop off your voting forms or ballots at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General, or send them through international mail or professional courier service.
Other Helpful Tips and Information
- Always check your state’s packaging requirements and ballot sealing instructions at https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms before mailing your ballot back to the United States or dropping it off at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General.
- Go to the FVAP links pagefor helpful resources to aid your research of candidates and issues. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov).
- If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, ballot collection, or need instructions on how to drop off your ballot, please contact Voting Assistance Officers in U.S. Embassy Islamabad at ACSIslamabad@state.gov; U.S. Consulate General Karachi at ACSKarachi@state.gov; or U.S. Consulate General Lahore at ACSLahore@state.gov.
Remember, your vote counts!
