Ballot Drop Day

Hopefully you have already registered to vote and requested your ballot for the upcoming November elections. The deadlines for registration and ballot requests are fast approaching. If you have not done so yet – stop what you are doing and go to www.votefromabroad.org and spend 5 minutes to register and request your ballot.

Ballot Drop Day is September 21. That is the day that is forty five days before Election Day and the date on which local election offices must send out ballots to overseas and military voters under the law. Since September 21 is a Saturday ballots may be sent out earlier; and in fact we are getting reports that ballots have started to drop in many jurisdictions. Voters should check their email inboxes and spam boxes around that date.

If you don’t get your ballot, you can vote the Federal Absentee Backup Ballot. Find out more here.
If you do get your ballot, complete it promptly and return it according to your local election office instructions.

There are several ways to return your ballot!

Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically. Some states require you to deliver your ballot on or before Election Day. Find out your state’s requirements here.

Ballot return methods – by email, online, postal mail, fax – vary by state. Always return your ballot as quickly as possible, especially if your state only allows postal mail return.

Always read the instructions that came with your ballot carefully! Find your state’s ballot return methods here.

If your state allows electronic ballot return, please use these options as they’re not subject to loss or delay! Here is more information on fax submission.

New Jersey Voters: Please note that New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but requires that the ballot ALSO be sent by postal mail.

New York Voters: Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot.

Need help scanning your ballot?

Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone.

If you don’t have a scanning app on your phone, you can use Adobe Scan mobile app for iPhone & Android.

Mailing Your Ballot

Some states require that paper ballots be sent by mail. Remember to use one envelope for your ballot and one envelope for your certificate/declaration. Family members can send their ballots together in one larger envelope, provided each voter puts their ballot and certificate/declaration in separate envelopes in the package. If your state requires postal mail return, these are the options from Israel:

DHL courier service is the quickest way to return your ballot.

You can receive a 30% discount for any package sent via DHL-Israel, from Israel to America.

Use the Promo Code- USA20 for a 30% discount on the DHL website..

This offer is good until November 30, 2024!

There are 2 easy options to send your shipment with DHL:
- Download the DHL Express mobile app:
  - Android
  - Apple

Visit the MyDHL+ website

DHL offers a Label Free Service so you no longer need a printer!

For more information or help: WhatsApp- https://wa.me/972526350003

FedEx is another courier option. Both DHL and FedEx provide tracking so you will know when your ballot arrives.

Courier services cannot send to a P.O. Box! Be sure to confirm a street address with your local election official if a P.O. Box is the return address on your ballot.

Other mail options are:

Israel Postal Service

The Israel Post Office offers express international mail service. Despite the “express” designation, this is a slow option. If you use Israel Post, send your ballot as soon as possible!

Some states require you to deliver your ballot on or before Election Day. Find out your state’s requirements here.

Diplomatic Pouch

The U.S. Embassy diplomatic pouch is an option if you can drop off your ballot in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv in a timely manner. The U.S. Embassy in Israel requests that ballots be dropped off no later than four (4) weeks before the ballot due date.

The diplomatic pouch leaves weekly on Tuesday mornings. Ballots should be dropped off no later than Monday to be included in the weekly pouch shipment.

This means that the LAST DAY to drop off ballots for the diplomatic pouch this year is Monday, September 30, 2024, to be included in the diplomatic pouch shipment on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 (a full month before the November 5, 2024 election).

To use the pouch, place your ballots in U.S. postage paid return envelopes (usually provided with your ballot) or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage. You can download a free U.S. postage-paid return envelope template at FVAP.gov.

The diplomatic pouch is very slow. It can take weeks for your ballot to reach its final destination. Use a Back-up Ballot to make the diplomatic pouch deadline if your regular ballot hasn’t arrived. Find out more here.

The U.S. Embassy address in Jerusalem is: 14 Flusser Street, Jerusalem
The U.S. Embassy Branch Office address in Tel Aviv is: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv

Important Note regarding drop-off ballots:

Voters are permitted to drop off ballots without an appointment at the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. Ballots can be dropped off at the drop box at American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem from 8:00AM-2:00PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or at the Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv from 8:00AM-2:00PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. No appointment is necessary.

More information is available on the Embassy website