Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or mail. To start, go to FVAP.gov to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Print, sign, and send the form to your local election office in the United States as soon as possible. You may locate your local election officials here. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it is easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem.
Most states accept registration and absentee ballot requests electronically through the FVAP website. This is the fastest way to get your ballot and ensures you have it in time to return a completed form before your state’s deadline. Please check their website for requirements specific to each state here.
The American Citizen Services Unit can help facilitate voting overseas by accepting absentee ballots and mailing them to local election officials in the United States. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you may drop off materials in the dropbox provided at the First Checkpoint between Sunday through Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Please email us at VoteKuwait@state.gov if you are unable to drop off voting materials during this window. Ballots must be addressed to local election offices and placed in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities.
Can I vote absentee?
You can vote absentee in any election for Federal office if you are a U.S. citizen 18 years or older and are a U.S. citizen residing outside the United States.
If I do not maintain a legal residence in the United States, what is my "Legal State of Residence?"
Your “Legal State of Residence” for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. This applies to overseas citizens even though you may not have property or other ties in your last state of residence and your intent to return to that state may be uncertain.
When completing block 5 of the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request (PDF 135 KB) form, be sure to enter the entire mailing address of your last residence, including rural route and number. That address determines your proper voting jurisdiction.
Some states allow children of U.S. citizens residing overseas who are U.S. citizens, but who have never resided in the United States, to claim one of their parent’s legal state of residence as their own. Visit www.fvap.gov for the list of states that permit this.
How do I register to vote, or apply for an absentee ballot?
You may register and request an absentee ballot with a single form: The Federal Post Card Application. This application form is accepted by all States and territories and is postage-paid in the U.S. mail, including the Military Postal System and State Department Pouch mail. Hard copies of the form can be requested directly from the Federal Voting Assistance Program by contacting vote@fvap.gov.
An online version (PDF 328 KB) of the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form is also available. The online version of the form must be mailed in an envelope with proper postage, or mailed using our prepaid return envelope.
Your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form must be completed, printed, signed, dated and mailed directly to your local election official.
Can I register or vote in-person at the embassy or consulate?
There are no provisions for in-person voting or on-site registration at U.S. embassies or consulates. U.S. embassy and consular officials can assist U.S. citizens in completing the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form or other election materials for their state, witness election materials (if required), and provide other absentee voting information.
Our contact email for voting assistance: VoteKuwait@state.gov.
For voting materials, please visit www.fvap.gov/vao/materials/ocit-order.
Can I submit my ballot at the Embassy?
Most states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you may drop your voting-related materials at the Embassy between Sunday through Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Please email us at VoteKuwait@state.gov if you are unable to drop off voting-related materials during this time.
Ballots must be addressed to local election offices and placed in sealed postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities. You may print the postage-paid template available here onto any blank envelope.
If it is more convenient for you, you may also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense.