Voter Tools and Services Provided by U.S. Vote Foundation

Overseas Vote - Everything You Need to Vote From Abroad

As a U.S. citizen, your right to vote moves with you wherever you are in the world

If you are traveling, working, studying or living abroad you can vote as an overseas voter

It makes no difference if you are temporarily or indefinitely abroad - you can vote as an overseas voter

Overseas and military voters have federal voting rights, which offer special accommodations

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

I heard that US overseas voters must have voted before in the US to later vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

To register and request your overseas ballot, there is no previous voting requirement. You can even be a first-time voter!

Learn more.
Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Somehow I thought overseas voters had to have a "permanent" overseas address to vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

You can vote from outside of the US whether you're abroad temporarily or permanently.

Learn more.
Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

I assumed that to vote from abroad, overseas voters must also have a current address or own property in the US.

Here's the TRUTH:

There is no requirement to own property or have a current address in the US to vote from abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Someone said that if you vote from abroad you will be reported to your state tax office and get a tax bill.

Here's the TRUTH:

Voting in federal elections cannot be a basis for a state to assert tax liability on its overseas voters.

Learn more.
Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

I thought I could give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Overseas ballots must start their postal return and be postmarked from outside of the US.

Learn more.
Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

I read something about having to notarize my ballot or signature...

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Notarization is not required in any state or territory.

Learn more.
Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

I assume I can choose which state I vote in when I vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

Sorry, it's not a choice. You vote in the state where you last lived before moving abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

I heard that overseas and military ballots aren't actually counted.

Here's the TRUTH:

Phooey on that! It is illegal to not count and include all ballots received in order to certify the election.

Learn more.

Overseas Voting Myths

Myth #1 - Previous Voting Record

I heard that US overseas voters must have voted before in the US to later vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

To register and request your overseas ballot, there is no previous voting requirement. You can even be a first-time voter!

Learn more.
Myth #2 - Fixed Overseas Address

Somehow I thought overseas voters had to have a "permanent" overseas address to vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

You can vote from outside of the US whether you're abroad temporarily or permanently.

Learn more.
Myth #3 - Own Property or Have Current Address

I assumed that to vote from abroad, overseas voters must also have a current address or own property in the US.

Here's the TRUTH:

There is no requirement to own property or have a current address in the US to vote from abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #4 - Beware of Taxes

Someone said that if you vote from abroad you will be reported to your state tax office and get a tax bill.

Here's the TRUTH:

Voting in federal elections cannot be a basis for a state to assert tax liability on its overseas voters.

Learn more.
Myth #5 - Put Ballot in US Mail

I thought I could give my overseas absentee ballot to a visiting friend to drop it in the USPS mail system for delivery.

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Overseas ballots must start their postal return and be postmarked from outside of the US.

Learn more.
Myth #6 - Notarization Requirement

I read something about having to notarize my ballot or signature...

Here's the TRUTH:

No! Notarization is not required in any state or territory.

Learn more.
Myth #7 - Choose the State I Vote In from Abroad

I assume I can choose which state I vote in when I vote from abroad.

Here's the TRUTH:

Sorry, it's not a choice. You vote in the state where you last lived before moving abroad.

Learn more.
Myth #8 - My Overseas Ballot Won't Be Counted

I heard that overseas and military ballots aren't actually counted.

Here's the TRUTH:

Phooey on that! It is illegal to not count and include all ballots received in order to certify the election.

Learn more.

I have a question about overseas voting!

Submit your question and get a personal answer

For immediate answers, see our comprehensive overseas voting FAQ library

Go to the Voter Help Desk - our agents are ready to answer your questions

Study Abroad and Vote

If you are studying abroad during an election, you can vote from abroad.

You can even send in your overseas voter registration and ballot request form before you leave for school.

See our Study Abroad and VOTE! Toolkit

Blog

us passport held by a hand in front of a blurry view of city rooftops

Voting in U.S. Elections Explained: Can I Vote as a U.S. Citizen Born Abroad?

If you are a U.S. citizen born abroad, you may be wondering if you can vote in U.S. elections. Good on you for asking this question! There are some important nuances to know about the voting rights of U.S. citizens especially if you were born outside of the U.S. and live abroad.

At Overseas Vote and U.S. Vote Foundation, we aim to assist you exercise your voting rights. Here, we'll explain whether you qualify to vote in the U.S. elections and how you can register to vote if you're a U.S. citizen born abroad and continuing to live abroad.

woman looking puzzled holding two different passports

U.S. Elections: Voting from Abroad as a Dual Citizen

U.S. elections garner so much media attention worldwide, it's no wonder that the topic of voting as a dual citizen comes up so frequently. If you are a dual national living in the U.S. or abroad, wondering whether you can vote in the upcoming election....

Here's the good news: Yes, you can vote in U.S. elections as a dual citizen.

Your U.S. citizenship and right to vote go with you where ever you are in the world. As a dual national living abroad and voting as an overseas voter, I thought I might share my own experience to give some perspective on the process.

truth meter pointing away from myths toward facts

Top 10 Misconceptions about Voting in U.S. Elections from Abroad

The assumptions made about the rules of overseas voting are so often just plain wrong. We call them “Overseas Voting Myths.” They are myths and misconceptions that are actually fabricated barriers to voting.

At Overseas Vote and our parent, U.S. Vote Foundation, our legacy is overseas and military voting. We often remark on this tendency of voters to use these misconceptions to keep themselves from voting. Overseas voting is challenging enough without creating even more imaginary problems!

Visit Blog

Overseas Voting Research and Resources

Overseas Vote has a 20 year history

Learn more about Overseas Vote

FAQ: Top Questions on Overseas Voting

Everything you need to know about voting from abroad

Learn more about US overseas voting

Read our Overseas Voting Explainer

Improving US overseas and military voting

Examine our overseas voting reform agenda

Uniformed Services Members

Service members, spouses and dependents: if you are away from your voting address during an election, you can vote