The Blogs: Why Americans Abroad Must Vote in the Midterm

Americans living overseas can vote for the same basic reasons as voters in the US. You can vote in Federal Midterm Elections, for Congress and some states for Senate, from anywhere in the world: if you are a US citizen, 18 years old or older on Election Day & eligible in your state.

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” John Lewis

There are some issues that affect overseas voters more directly. Whether someone should vote is ultimately a personal decision, but there are several reasons many expatriate Americans choose to participate.

Here are some of the main considerations:

Federal policies still affect Americans abroad. U.S. citizens living overseas remain subject to certain U.S. laws, including citizenship-based taxation, passport rules, consular services, Social Security (for many recipients), and foreign policy decisions.
Congress has significant influence. Midterm elections determine control of the United States House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the United States Senate. Those bodies shape legislation on taxes, veterans’ benefits, immigration, national security, spending, and oversight of the executive branch.
Your state is still represented. Most overseas Americans vote in the last U.S. state where they resided (or, in some cases, through their parents’ last state of residence). Their elected representatives make decisions that may affect their future if they return.

Some events or issues that commonly motivate Americans abroad to vote include:

Tax policy. Proposals involving overseas taxation, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, foreign bank reporting requirements, or tax treaties can have a direct impact on Americans abroad.
Foreign policy and international security. Wars, military alliances, diplomatic relations, sanctions, and international trade can affect Americans living overseas in practical ways.
Consular services and passport policy. Funding and staffing for embassies and consulates influence passport processing and assistance during emergencies.
The economy. Inflation, interest rates, federal spending, and economic policy can affect retirement savings, investments, exchange rates, and employment opportunities.
Healthcare and retirement. Changes to programs such as Social Security Administration programs or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policies may matter for Americans planning to retire in the U.S. or receiving benefits abroad.
The balance of political power. Midterm elections often determine which party controls Congress, influencing the likelihood that a president’s agenda advances or is constrained.

People are also often inspired to vote by broader considerations, such as:

A desire to support candidates whose values align with their own.
Concern about the direction of the country.
Belief in civic participation and democratic accountability.
The opportunity to influence close races, since some elections are decided by relatively small margins.

“We all have to vote like our lives and the world depend on it, because they do. The only way to be certain of the future is to make it ourselves.” Billie Eilish

It’s also worth remembering that Americans abroad are generally eligible to vote in federal elections using absentee ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, provided they meet their state’s eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Ultimately, whether to vote—and what issues matter most—is a matter of individual judgment. Many overseas Americans participate because they believe U.S. government decisions continue to affect their rights, finances, and future, even while they live outside the country.

Voting from overseas is not difficult ~~

Register to vote and request an absentee ballot in one step by filling out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). https://www.fvap.gov/ Request your ballot to be emailed. Most states allow you to confirm online that they received your ballot. You can also contact your state election office to check the status of your ballot.

The FPCA will ask for your voting residence. It’s usually the last address you lived at before moving outside of the U.S., even if you do not own or have a current connection to that residence. It is not the same as your mailing address. You must provide this address even if you only intend to vote in federal elections.

If you can’t remember your voting residence:

Your voting residence is usually in the same state where you pay taxes.
You may be able to find the address on old tax records.
If you were previously registered to vote, your state election office may be able to help identify your address.

Your election office uses your voting residence to determine which ballot to send you. Your election office will not send any voting materials or other mail to this address.

If your ballot is rejected, your local election officials should contact you and tell you why. If you have not been contacted, contact your state election office or the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at vote@fvap.gov.

Receiving your ballot. Every state gives you the option of receiving either an electronic or paper ballot. States have different methods of providing an electronic ballot: email, fax, and/or an online portal. Find the options available to you in your state. Your state will send your paper or electronic ballot at least 45 days before a federal election.

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot If your paper ballot will not arrive in time to return it by your state deadline, use the emergency Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to vote. In some states, you may only use the emergency ballot if you’ve already requested an absentee ballot. You must have access to a printer to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. You will need to print your FWAB and sign it with a handwritten signature.

“We have the power to make a difference. But we need to VOTE.” Kylie Jenner

Returning your ballot

By email or fax: Some states allow you to email or fax your completed electronic ballot. This is often the fastest option, especially if mail is slow in your country. However, you will need access to a printer to print the ballot and sign it before returning it.

By mail: Send registration forms and completed ballots directly to your state or local election office. Make sure to include the correct amount of international postage. You can usually find the address for your election office on the information provided with your ballot.

Some states allow one courier package with multiple individually sealed ballot envelopes addressed to the same election office. Contact your election official to confirm. DHL-Israel is currently offering a 20% discount on anything mailed from Israel to the US.

Your local embassy can also help you mail your ballot, particularly if you live somewhere with unreliable mail service. Mail completed voter registration forms, absentee ballot requests, and ballots to the U.S. on your behalf. In some countries, you can mail your ballot to the embassy or consulate to be placed in a diplomatic pouch to be sent to the U.S.

You cannot vote in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate. An embassy or consulate cannot receive your ballot or other mail intended for you. Your local election office will send the blank ballot directly to you either by mail or electronically. Contact your closest embassy or consulate for questions specific to your country.

Never lived in the U.S. If you’re a U.S. citizen who was born outside of the U.S. and you have never lived in the U.S., you may still be eligible to vote. This depends on your voting residence. Your voting residence is where your parents or legal guardians last lived in the U.S. If your parents’ most recent U.S. addresses were in two different states, you can choose which state you want to vote in. Some states do not allow people who have never lived in the U.S. to vote. Find your state’s rules.

.Upcoming elections for federal office from FVAP.gov: The following states have elections for federal office in the next 90 days: S- State Primary; D-District Primary; T-Territory Primary; R- State Runoff (if necessary) *Dates subject to change.

July 2026:
July 21ˢᵗ: Arizona (S)
July 28ᵗʰ: Georgia CD 13 Special Election

August 2026 – 30 day Notice:
August 1ˢᵗ: Guam (T), Virgin Islands (T)
August 4ᵗʰ: Kansas (S), Michigan (S), Missouri (S), Virginia (S), Washington (S)
August 6ᵗʰ: Tennessee (S)
August 8ᵗʰ: Hawaii (S)
August 11ᵗʰ: Alabama CD 1,2,6 & 7 Special Primary, Connecticut (S), Minnesota (S), Vermont (S), Wisconsin (S)
August 18ᵗʰ: Alaska (S), California CD 14 Special General, Florida (S), Wyoming (S)
August 25ᵗʰ: Georgia CD 13 Special Runoff, Oklahoma (R)

September 2026 – 60 day Notice:
September 1ˢᵗ: Massachusetts (S)
September 8ᵗʰ: New Hampshire (S)
September 9ᵗʰ: Rhode Island (S)
September 15ᵗʰ: Delaware (S)

October 2026 – 90 day Notice:
*No Federal Elections Scheduled

November 3, 2026 General Election

Know your voting rights

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” Abraham Lincoln