Almost all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who reside outside the United States are eligible to absentee vote in U.S. primary and general elections. In addition, some states allow overseas citizens to vote in state and local elections and referendums. For information on absentee voting overseas, visit the Overseas Citizen Voter page. For information regarding your specific state, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s Voting Assistance Guide or the Overseas Vote Foundation website.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically by email, fax, or internet download, depending on the state.
Get Your Application
To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
Next, print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States.
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.
If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. Most states now have voter registration verification websites, and many offer a means of tracking the status of your registration and ballot.
Important note: States are no longer required to automatically send ballots to voters for an entire election cycle so everyone who wants to vote in U.S. elections from overseas should send in a new Federal Post Card Application in January of each year.
Returning Your Completed Ballot
If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. Ballots and other voting forms must be in either postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage and must also be addressed to the relevant local election officials.
Voters can bring the sealed forms and ballots to the Embassy for mailing. The ballots will be kept secure. The envelopes will be identified as voting materials. They will be sent through diplomatic pouch and turned over to the U.S. postal service upon arrival in the United States. Please allow for at least three weeks for shipping to the United States and plan accordingly. Please email us at VoteChisinau@state.gov if you need any voting assistance.
Researching the Candidates and Issues
Online Resources. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line or search the Internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts: vote@fvap.gov. FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook and Twitter.
Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) FVAP.gov
If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the Chisinau Voting Assistance Officer at the Consular Section contact phone number +373 22-408-300 or at VoteChisinau@state.gov
