For American expats living in the UK, the distance from home doesn’t diminish the importance of participating in U.S. elections. Wherever you’re living, your vote matters. When you’re living abroad, you get additional insights to how the policies and politics of America affect the world as whole. Moving abroad doesn’t mean you can no longer vote in elections, it just changes your voting process.
American Expat Voting Rights: UOCAVA
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) protects the rights of Americans overseas to register to vote and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. Some states and territories also allow citizens covered by the UOCAVA to register and vote in state and local elections as well.
UOCAVA allows U.S. citizens to vote from overseas, even if they have permanently left the United States. Citizens can get ballots electronically (email, fax, or web site). Twenty states require ballots to be returned by postal mail. It’s important to learn the requirements and due dates of your state early, so you don’t overlook procedures. Allow plenty of time to request, receive, and return your ballot.
Absentee Voter Eligibility
In order to vote absentee, they must be 18 by the date of the general election and be US citizens who have previously been resident in the USA. States that allow U.S. citizens born abroad, who have never resided in the United States, to vote absentee under specific conditions are: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI.
Contact your local (voting residence) election office 1 to see if you’re eligible if your state is not in this list.
Voting Residence for Overseas US Citizens
To cast an absentee ballot, especially for federal positions, you must have a designated voting address. This specific address helps election authorities identify the correct ballot for you, based on your local precinct and the candidates or offices you’re entitled to vote for.
Your designated voting address is the last place you lived in the U.S. before moving abroad.
Keep in mind:
- Even if you’ve severed other connections to that state, this address remains valid.
- Whether or not you plan to return to that state doesn’t affect its validity.
- The address remains valid even if it’s no longer recognized as a residential one.
- Casting a vote for federal roles typically doesn’t determine residency for state or local tax purposes.
If you’re unsure of your last U.S. address, consider looking at past tax documents, old passports, or letters from family. If you were registered before, election offices might assist in pinpointing your address.
If you’re thinking of establishing a new legal residence, it’s wise to seek legal advice. This decision can have other implications, like affecting your taxes. If you have a close friend or family in the city where you previously lived, you may wish to use their address, with permission of course.
It is important to remember that your voting residence address listed on the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) must be an address in the United States. Placing an overseas address in Section 2 of the form may automatically disqualify you. 2
How to Register to Vote Absentee – The FPCA
The FPCA, or Federal Post Card Application, is a form used by U.S. citizens living abroad, including military members and their dependents, to register to vote and request absentee ballots for federal elections. The FPCA serves a dual purpose: it acts both as a voter registration form and an absentee ballot request form.
By using the FPCA, overseas citizens and military personnel can ensure they receive absentee ballots for all federal elections in a calendar year.
It’s recommended that absentee voters send in a new FPCA every year and whenever they change their address. Some states purge voter rolls annually for “inactive” voters. 3
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides the FPCA and offers assistance to voters on how to complete and submit the form to their respective state or territory.
State Deadlines for Absentee Ballots
The deadlines for requesting and returning absentee ballot applications vary from state to state, with a range of 2 to 4 weeks before the election date. The deadline for returning an absentee ballot is 1 to 2 weeks before the election date.
It is always best to check with your local election officials to get the specific deadlines for your state.
What to do if you don’t receive your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice
Tips for Absentee Ballots
- Request your absentee ballot early. The deadlines for requesting absentee ballots can be tight, so it is best to request your ballot as early as possible. This will give you plenty of time to fill it out and return it.
- Fill out your ballot carefully. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and fill out your ballot completely and accurately. Any errors on your ballot may result in it being rejected.
- Sign and date your ballot. Your ballot must be signed and dated in order to be counted.
- Return your ballot early. The deadlines for returning absentee ballots can also be tight, so it is best to return your ballot early.
What to do if you don’t receive your absentee ballot
If you do not receive your ballot in time to mail it back, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup. Fill it out carefully to ensure it is correct and your vote counted.
https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice
You can check online with your state to see if your voter registration was received, and if you can vote. Select “voter registration status”, your state, and visit their website at https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote.
Check your registration information before your state’s registration deadline to register to vote. That could be up to 30 days before the election. This gives you time if you need to re-register or make changes.
9. Additional Resources:
Links to official government websites related to overseas voting.
Organizations that assist U.S. citizens abroad with the voting process.
Conclusion:
While living abroad offers a wealth of experiences and perspectives, it’s crucial not to forget the ties and responsibilities one has to their home country. Voting is a powerful way for expats to maintain their connection, influence policy, and ensure their unique needs and perspectives are considered.
References
1. Americans can vote. Wherever they are. (2023). Retrieved 12 August 2023, from https://www.fvap.gov/search-offices
2. Americans can vote. Wherever they are. (2023). Retrieved 12 August 2023, from https://www.fvap.gov/info/laws/voting-residence
3. Alarm over voter purges as 17m Americans removed from rolls in two years. (2019). Retrieved 12 August 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/01/voter-purges-us-elections-brennan-center-report
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