Voting From Abroad: How U.S. Citizens Can Vote in the 2026 Midterm Elections

U.S. citizens living abroad can vote in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections using an absentee ballot. Voting from abroad requires registering and requesting your ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which you can complete online at FVAP.gov or VoteFromAbroad.org. States must send ballots at least 45 days before the election (by mid-September 2026). If your ballot doesn’t arrive by 30 days before the election, you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup.

What’s at stake in 2026:

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
35 of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate (including special elections in Florida and Ohio)
36 governorships and numerous state and local offices
Critical for determining the balance of power in Congress during President Trump’s second term

Who can vote:

All U.S. citizens aged 18 or older, regardless of where you live
This includes citizens who have never lived in the U.S. (31 states allow you to use your parents’ voting residence)
You can vote even if you’ve been abroad for years and don’t own property in the U.S.

Tax implications: Voting in federal elections does not affect your federal or state taxes. However, voting in some state or local elections could establish legal residency and create state tax obligations. Learn more about how voting residence differs from tax residence.

This comprehensive guide covers everything American expats need to know to vote in the 2026 midterms, from registration deadlines to how your vote gets counted.

Why Do the 2026 Midterm Elections Matter for Expats?

The 2026 midterm elections will determine which party controls Congress for the remainder of President Trump’s second term. With Republicans currently holding slim majorities in both chambers (220-215 in the House, 53-47 in the Senate), every seat matters.

What’s on the ballot November 3, 2026:

House of Representatives: All 435 seats are up for election. Democrats need to gain a net of 3 seats to win a majority
Senate: 35 regular elections plus 2 special elections (Florida and Ohio). Democrats need to gain 4 seats to win a majority
State races: 36 gubernatorial elections, state legislatures in 46 states, and thousands of local offices

Why expat votes matter: Many congressional races are decided by narrow margins. In 2020, several House races were won by fewer than 5,000 votes. With approximately 9 million Americans living abroad, expat votes can determine control of Congress.

Historically, expats have had much lower voter turnout than domestic voters. According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, expat turnout was only 7% in 2016 compared to 72% for domestic citizens. The primary barrier? Many expats believe voting from abroad is too complicated. But it’s simpler than you think.

Can I Vote If I Live Abroad Permanently?

Yes. U.S. citizenship gives you the right to vote in federal elections regardless of where you live or how long you’ve been abroad. This is true even if:

You’ve never lived in the United States
You’ve been abroad for decades
You don’t own property in the U.S.
You have no plans to return to the U.S.
You’re a permanent resident of another country
You hold dual citizenship

If you were born abroad and have never lived in the U.S., 31 states allow you to vote using your American parent’s last U.S. voting residence. Check your state’s specific rules on the FVAP website.

What you can vote for:

All U.S. citizens abroad can vote in federal elections (President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives)
Some states also allow you to vote in state and local elections (governors, state legislators, local offices, ballot measures)

Important caution about state elections

While voting for federal offices never impacts your tax liability, some states treat voting in state or local elections as evidence of legal residency. This could require you to file a state tax return and potentially owe state income taxes. If you’re concerned about state tax implications, stick to voting for federal offices only.

How Do I Register to Vote from Abroad?

The simplest way to register and request your absentee ballot is by using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This single form serves two purposes: it registers you to vote AND requests your absentee ballot.

Step 1: Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

Where to get the FPCA:

FVAP.gov – Federal Voting Assistance Program (official government site)
VoteFromAbroad.org – Run by Democrats Abroad
VotersOutreach.org – Run by Republicans Overseas
Your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate

All three websites offer online assistants that walk you through completing the form step by step. The process typically takes 10-15 minutes.

What you’ll need:

Your current mailing address abroad (where you want your ballot sent)
Your U.S. voting residence address (usually the last address where you lived in the U.S.)
Your date of birth
Your driver’s license number or Social Security number (requirements vary by state)
An email address for election notifications (optional but recommended)

Determining your voting residence:

For most expats: The last U.S. address where you lived before moving abroad
If you’ve never lived in the U.S.: Your parents’ voting residence (if your state allows it)
You don’t need to currently own property or have ties to this address
Your voting residence determines which state and local races you’re eligible to vote in

What state do you vote in if you live abroad?

Your voting state is determined by your last legal residence in the United States before moving overseas. This is called your “voting residence,” and it doesn’t require you to own property, maintain a driver’s license, or have any current connection to that state. For Americans who have never lived in the U.S., 31 states allow you to use your parents’ last voting residence as your own.

Step 2: Submit Your FPCA

How to submit:

Online (recommended): Most states accept electronic submission through FVAP.gov
Email or fax: Send to your local election office (find contact info on FVAP.gov)
Mail: Print, sign, and mail to your local election office
In person: Visit your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance

Critical deadline: Most states require registration at least 30 days before the election. However, registration deadlines vary by state, and some have earlier cutoffs. Register as early as possible – ideally by early September 2026 to ensure your ballot arrives in time.

How long is the FPCA valid?: A single FPCA submission generally covers all elections in the current calendar year and the following year. For the 2026 midterms, an FPCA submitted anytime in 2026 will cover all 2026 elections.

Step 3: Track Your Registration and Ballot Request

After submitting your FPCA, confirm your local election office received it. Many states offer online tools to check your registration status and track your ballot.

Find your state’s ballot tracking system: Visit FVAP.gov, select your state, and look for links to:

Voter registration verification
Absentee ballot status tracking
Local election office contact information

If you haven’t received confirmation within 2-3 weeks of submitting your FPCA, contact your local election office directly.

When Will I Receive My Ballot for the 2026 Midterms?

States are required to send absentee ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before a federal election. For the November 3, 2026, midterms, this means ballots should be mailed by mid-September 2026 at the latest.

Timeline for 2026 midterms:

By September 19, 2026: States must mail ballots to registered voters (45 days before the election)
October 3-4, 2026: If you haven’t received your ballot by 30 days before the election, request the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
November 3, 2026: Election Day – ballots must be postmarked by this date (some states accept ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked by November 3)

What to do while waiting for your ballot:

Research candidates and ballot measures for your state
Visit your state’s Secretary of State website or Vote411.org for voter guides
Check your ballot tracking system regularly
Prepare to act quickly if your ballot doesn’t arrive on time

What If My Ballot Doesn’t Arrive?

If you haven’t received your absentee ballot by 30 days before the election (October 3-4, 2026), don’t panic. You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

How the FWAB Works

The FWAB is a backup ballot designed specifically for situations where your regular ballot doesn’t arrive in time. You can download it from FVAP.gov and fill it out immediately.

Who can use the FWAB:

You must already be registered to vote (via FPCA or your state’s registration system)
You must have already requested an absentee ballot

What you can vote for with the FWAB:

Uniformed service members and their families: Can vote for all federal, state, and local offices and ballot measures
Overseas citizens with the intent to return: Can vote for all federal, state, and local offices and ballot measures
Overseas citizens not intending to return: Can vote for federal offices only (President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House)

How to use the FWAB:

Download the FWAB from FVAP.gov
Fill in your voter information completely
Write in the names of your preferred candidates for each race
Sign and date the ballot
Mail or email it to your local election office (find the address on FVAP.gov)

Important

If your regular absentee ballot arrives after you’ve submitted your FWAB, fill out and submit the regular ballot too. Only one ballot will be counted – election officials will count whichever ballot gives you the most voting options. Submitting both will not result in double voting or disqualification.

FWAB deadline: The FWAB must be received or postmarked by your state’s deadline (usually Election Day, November 3, 2026). Check your specific state’s requirements on FVAP.gov.

How Do I Fill Out and Return My Ballot?

Once your absentee ballot arrives, complete it promptly. International mail can be slow and unpredictable.

Filling Out Your Ballot

Step-by-step process:

Read all instructions carefully before marking your ballot
Complete your ballot in private – no one should observe you marking it (except those authorized to assist voters under state and federal law)
Use the required marking method (usually blue or black pen, sometimes a specific type of marker)
Fill out all required envelopes and declarations – missing signatures or incomplete affidavits can cause your ballot to be rejected
Double-check everything before sealing your ballot

Common ballot rejection reasons:

Missing or mismatched signature on the ballot envelope
Ballot returned in the wrong envelope
Ballot received after the deadline
Missing voter declaration or affidavit

Returning Your Ballot

How to return your ballot:

Mail (recommended if time allows): Use the prepaid envelope provided by your state, or mail to your local election office address
Email or fax: Some states accept ballots electronically from overseas voters (check your state’s rules)
U.S. embassy or consulate: You can mail your ballot from any U.S. embassy or consulate, but they cannot receive or hold ballots for you

Timeline for mailing your ballot:

From Europe: Mail at least 14-21 days before the election
From Asia/Pacific: Mail at least 21-28 days before the election
From anywhere: Mail as early as possible – don’t wait until the last minute

The Federal Voting Assistance Program recommends that voters in Iraq and Afghanistan return ballots at least 28 days before an election to account for military postal delays.

Track your ballot: Many states now offer ballot tracking systems that notify you when your ballot is received and accepted. Sign up for tracking notifications when you request your ballot.

Will My Vote Count in the 2026 Midterms?

Yes, your vote absolutely counts. Voting from abroad is completely legitimate, and your ballot is counted the same way as domestic absentee ballots.

Is Voting From Abroad legit?

Absolutely. Overseas voting is protected by federal law under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), signed in 1986. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP.gov) is an official U.S. government program run by the Department of Defense. Organizations like Vote From Abroad (run by Democrats Abroad) and Republicans Overseas are established, nonpartisan voter assistance organizations that have helped millions of Americans vote from overseas for decades. Your vote is secure, legal, and counts exactly the same as any other absentee ballot.

How expat ballots are counted:

Your ballot is sent to your local election office in your voting district
It’s counted along with all other absentee ballots from that district
Your vote counts in your specific congressional district for House races, and statewide for Senate races
Election officials verify your signature and eligibility before counting your ballot

Expat voting impact: While the exact number varies by election, overseas votes have influenced outcomes in close races. In the 2020 election, several House races were decided by margins smaller than the number of overseas ballots requested in those districts.

Special note for swing states and competitive districts: If you’re registered in a battleground state or a competitive House district, your vote could be particularly impactful in determining control of Congress.

Does Voting Affect My U.S. Taxes?

Federal taxes: No. Voting in federal elections (President, Senate, House) has zero impact on your federal tax obligations.
State taxes: Maybe. This is where it gets complex. Some states treat voting in state or local elections as evidence of legal residency, which could require you to file a state tax return.

States known for aggressive tax claims on former residents:

California
Virginia
New York
South Carolina
New Mexico

If you maintain other ties to these states (property ownership, driver’s license, mailing address, bank accounts), voting could strengthen their claim that you’re still a resident for tax purposes.

Safe approach for avoiding state tax issues:

Vote in federal elections only (President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives)
Skip state and local races if you’re concerned about state tax obligations
If you must vote in state races, consult a tax professional about your specific situation

States with no income tax (safe for all voting): If you established residency in one of these states before moving abroad, you can vote in all races without state tax concerns:

Alaska
Florida
Nevada
South Dakota
Texas
Washington
Wyoming

Learn more about state tax considerations for expats.

What About Primary Elections?

Primary elections determine which candidates will represent each political party in the November general election. Primary dates vary widely by state – some hold primaries as early as March, others as late as September.

How to vote in primary elections:

Submit your FPCA well in advance (90+ days before the primary is recommended)
Indicate your party affiliation on the FPCA (if your state requires it for primary voting)
Request a primary ballot in addition to the general election ballot
Some states automatically send primary ballots to registered overseas voters; others require a separate request

State-specific primary rules:

Some states have open primaries (you can vote in any party’s primary)
Some have closed primaries (you must register with a party to vote in that party’s primary)
Some states don’t allow overseas voters to participate in primaries at all

Check your state’s specific primary rules on FVAP.gov.

2026 primary timeline: Primaries will be held between March and September 2026. Visit FVAP.gov and select your state to find exact primary dates and registration deadlines.

Can I Vote at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate?

No. U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places and cannot accept ballots on Election Day.

However, embassies and consulates CAN help you vote:

Provide Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA)
Provide Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots (FWAB)
Give you information about your state’s voting requirements
Provide mailing services so you can mail your ballot from the embassy
Notarize or witness your voting materials free of charge (if your state requires it)
Answer general questions about the absentee voting process

To find your nearest embassy or consulate: Visit the U.S. Department of State website and search for U.S. missions in your country.

Best practice: Visit your embassy or consulate well before the election if you need help completing forms or have questions. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Where Can I Get Help Voting From Abroad?

Several nonpartisan organizations provide free assistance to Americans voting abroad from the USA and around the world:

Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP):

Official government resource for voting from abroad
Website: FVAP.gov
Provides state-specific voting guides, forms, and deadlines
Offers a helpdesk for questions

Vote From Abroad:

Run by Democrats Abroad
Website: VoteFromAbroad.org
Easy online voter registration and ballot request
Country-specific voting assistance

Voters Outreach:

Run by Republicans Overseas
Website: VotersOutreach.org
Online tools for registration and ballot requests

U.S. Vote Foundation:

Nonpartisan, nonprofit organization
Helps Americans abroad participate in elections
Provides voter information and resources

Your local U.S. embassy or consulate:

Find your nearest mission at USEmbassy.gov
Can provide forms, answer questions, and mail your ballot

All of these resources are legitimate, established organizations that have helped millions of U.S. citizens vote from abroad. They provide free, nonpartisan assistance regardless of your political affiliation.

What Are the Deadlines for the 2026 Midterm Elections?

Deadlines vary by state, but here’s a general timeline to follow:

Critical Dates for 2026 Midterms

By August 1, 2026:

Submit your FPCA if you haven’t already registered
This gives you maximum buffer time for ballot delivery

By September 1, 2026:

Final deadline to register in most states
Some states have earlier deadlines – check FVAP.gov for your state

September 19, 2026 (approximately):

States must mail ballots (45 days before the election)

October 3-4, 2026:

If you haven’t received your ballot by now (30 days before the election), request the FWAB immediately

October 15-20, 2026 (depending on location):

Last recommended date to mail your ballot to ensure arrival by Election Day
Earlier from the Asia/Pacific regions, later from Europe

November 3, 2026:

Election Day
Most states require ballots to be postmarked by this date
Some states accept ballots that arrive after Election Day if postmarked by November 3

State-specific deadlines: Every state has different rules for when ballots must be received vs. postmarked. Check FVAP.gov and select your state for exact deadlines.

Pro Tip

Don’t wait for deadlines. Complete your FPCA by early August 2026 and return your ballot as soon as you receive it. International mail is unpredictable – give yourself maximum buffer time.

What If I Haven’t Voted in Years?

No problem. You can register at any time, even if you haven’t voted in previous elections or haven’t been registered before.

If you’ve never registered to vote:

Complete the FPCA as described above
You’ll be registered and will receive a ballot for the 2026 midterms

If you were previously registered but haven’t voted recently:

Submit a new FPCA to update your registration
This ensures your current mailing address is on file and you’ll receive your ballot

If you don’t remember your voter registration status:

Check on FVAP.gov using your state’s voter lookup tool
Or simply submit a new FPCA – it will register you or update your existing registration

Some states require annual re-registration or have purged inactive voters from their rolls. Submitting a new FPCA ensures you’re registered regardless of your previous status.

How Does Greenback Support Expat Voters?

At Greenback Expat Tax Services, we believe strongly in the rights of Americans abroad to participate in U.S. elections. While we can’t provide partisan political guidance, we can help you sort out the intersection of voting and taxes.

How we can help:

Explain how voting affects your state tax obligations
Clarify the difference between voting residence and tax residence
Help you determine if voting in state elections could create state tax liabilities
File your U.S. tax returns accurately, regardless of where you’re registered to vote
Provide peace of mind that your tax compliance won’t interfere with your right to vote

Important to understand: Your voting residence and tax residence are separate concepts. You might vote in Pennsylvania but be a tax resident of France. Voting in federal elections never affects your tax status, but voting in some state elections might.

If you have questions about how voting affects your tax obligations or how to work with Greenback, contact our Customer Champions.

Your Voice Matters—and So Does Getting Taxes Right

You don’t have to choose between civic participation and tax compliance. Get Help with your U.S. taxes

Why Should You Vote from Abroad in the 2026 Midterms?

Your vote matters. Here’s why:

Congressional control is at stake: Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both the House (220-215) and Senate (53-47). Flipping just a handful of seats could change which party controls Congress.
Policy impact: The party that controls Congress determines which bills get hearings, votes, and ultimately become law. Issues affecting expats – including tax policy, passport services, Social Security, and consular services – depend on congressional priorities.
Close races: Many congressional districts are decided by narrow margins. In 2020, several House races were won by fewer than 5,000 votes. Your vote could be the deciding factor.
Expat representation: When expats don’t vote, elected officials have less incentive to prioritize expat issues. Higher expat voter turnout means more attention to policies affecting Americans abroad.
Historical significance: The 2026 midterms will be the first since 1894 to take place during a non-consecutive second presidential term, making them historically noteworthy.
It’s easier than you think: The entire process – from registering to receiving and returning your ballot – can be completed in less than an hour total. Don’t let perceived complexity keep you from exercising your right to vote.

According to Greenback surveys, 89% of expats feel their concerns are less likely to be addressed than those of Americans living in the U.S. Voting is one concrete way to make your voice heard.

Quick Action Checklist for Voting From Abroad in the 2026 Midterms

Follow these steps to ensure you can vote in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections:

Now (or by August 1, 2026):

Go to FVAP.gov or VoteFromAbroad.org
Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
Submit via email, fax, or mail to your local election office
Request email notifications for ballot updates

By September 1, 2026:

Confirm that your registration was received
Sign up for your state’s ballot tracking system
Research candidates and ballot measures for your district

Late September 2026:

Watch for your ballot to arrive (states must send by mid-September)
If the ballot hasn’t arrived by October 3, request the FWAB immediately

Early to Mid-October 2026:

Fill out your ballot as soon as it arrives
Double-check all required signatures and declarations
Mail your ballot with plenty of time for delivery (at least 2-3 weeks before Election Day)

Late October 2026:

Track your ballot to confirm it was received and accepted
If there are any issues, contact your local election office immediately

November 3, 2026:

Election Day – your ballot should have been received by now
If you had to use a FWAB and your regular ballot arrived later, make sure you submitted both

Don’t wait until the last minute. International mail delays, processing times, and unforeseen complications can all interfere with voting. Start early and give yourself maximum buffer time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Voting rules and state tax laws are complex and subject to change. Always consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific situation, especially concerning state tax implications of voting. For official voting information, consult FVAP.gov or your local election office.