The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is the official U.S. government website for overseas voters. They provide information on registering absentee for U.S. elections, as well as details of upcoming elections, registration dates and deadlines. Please visit their website at http://www.fvap.gov.

Important News - 2012 Elections

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New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 elections. You will no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request. All U.S. citizens outside the United States who want to vote by absentee ballot in the 2012 primary and general elections must complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every year if they wish to vote from abroad. States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election. No matter what state you vote in, you can now ask your local election officials to provide your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). You can now also confirm your registration and ballot delivery on-line. Be sure to include your email address on the form to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option. This is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your ballot on time, and we strongly recommend every overseas voter take advantage of it. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website - http://www.fvap.gov/. If you have specific questions or need further assistance, you may also contact FVAP by email at vote@fvap.gov or by telephone at +1-800-438-VOTE (1-800-438-8683).

How to register to vote, and request an absentee ballot

To vote in U.S. elections, you must be registered with County officials in the last U.S. state you held residence. To register to vote, please visit the FVAP website and complete the Federal Post Card Application (FVPC). The FPCA is accepted by all local election officials in all U.S. states and territories.  It will register you to vote, and is also your request for an absentee ballot for all federal elections during the course of the year. An online wizard will help you complete the form. 

The FPCA is freely available at the FVAP website.

How to submit Federal Post Card Application (FVPC)

Depending on your state’s voting requirements, you may either send in the FPCA electronically, or mail it to your local election officials.  To submit the FVPC by mail, print out the completed FPCA and address the envelope to your local election officials.  Overseas voters have a number of options for submitting the FPCA:

• Local mail - Voters may affix sufficient international postage to your ballot envelope and mail it directly.
• U.S. Embassy Pouch/Army Postal Service (APO/FPO) - Official election ballot envelopes can be delivered to the Consulate General serving your area, which will then be forwarded to the appropriate election office.  Voters are required to provide an envelope which is addressed to their appropriate election office, and the Consulate will forward this via U.S. diplomatic pouch free of charge. You can also print out and use an envelope with postage-paid markings that is available on the FVAP web site.
• Fax, E-mail, or Internet - A number of states now allow the return of voted ballots via electronic means. Consult the FVAP's Voting Assistance Guide for electronic transmission options for your state.
• Express Courier Service - If time is short, you can use professional courier services such as FedEx (not to P.O. Boxes), DHL, or UPS. Check the Overseas Vote Foundation website for information about reduced rates for voters.

Please contact the consulate serving your area for questions about absentee voting:

• Sydney: VoteSydney@state.gov  
• Melbourne: VoteMelbourne@state.gov  
• Perth: VotePerth@state.gov

Featured links from America.gov:

• Voting and the Election Process
• USA Elections in Brief 
• U.S. Elections FAQ