U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE: 

Start by confirming your voter registration with your state.  Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register.  Go to FVAP.gov to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more.

To find your state’s election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit the FVAP.gov contact page.  You can also reach out directly to your election office for status updates on your registration and absentee ballot.

Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot:  Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not.  If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can do so through international mail, professional courier service.  You will need to place your ballots in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage addressed to the relevant local election officials, in order for them to be delivered to the proper local election authorities.  Once you receive your requested absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as you get it.  Remember to carefully follow the instructions, especially if a “security envelope” is required, and sign the package as indicated when returning it.

If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at www.FVAP.gov/FWAB.  It acts as a backup ballot. If your official state absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.

To ensure your voted ballot is received by your state, go to FVAP.gov, click on your state and then the “check the status of your voted ballot” button.

Consider returning your ballot to the United States via a commercial express courier service (such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL) or return your voted ballot by fax or electronically if allowed by your state.  Ballots sent to local election officials via express courier service do not receive standard postmarks, so voters using this method should confirm on-time delivery prior to payment and shipment.  Check your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov for guidance.

CAN I VOTE AT THE EMBASSY? 

The diplomatic pouch provides free mail service from embassies and consulates to a U.S. sorting facility.  Only sealed and postage-paid ballots can be mailed.  Please note that delivery times vary, but it takes approximately 4 weeks for mail to reach its destination if sent via diplomatic pouch.  All overseas U.S. citizens are advised to submit their forms and ballots accordingly. 

Ιf you opt to mail your election materials through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General Thessaloniki, you may mail or drop off your completed and sealed ballot in a postage paid envelope (available for free on FVAP.gov or with sufficient U.S. postage for delivery from the mail sorting facility to the election office in the following ways:

• Mail:  U.S. Embassy Athens, American Citizen Services, 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens Greece
• Drop off at the U.S. Embassy in Athens:  Kokali gate entrance, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on workdays
• Drop off at U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki:  43 Tsimiski 7th Floor, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on workdays

Researching the Candidates and Issues:   Go to the FVAP links page for helpful resources to aid your research of candidates and issues.  Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain online. You can also read national and hometown newspapers online, 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 (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov).

Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov.  If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, you may call +1 703-588-1584 or email vote@fvap.gov.

How do I register and vote overseas?

You may follow the same straightforward process to obtain ballots for both federal and local elections.  You need to submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to the voting officials in the appropriate state in the United States.  Once they have received it and confirmed your registration, they will send you an absentee ballot by mail, e-mail, or fax.  You can then fill out and return this ballot according to the instructions provided along with the ballot itself.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Thessaloniki do not supply state-specific ballots, nor can you vote there on Election Day. You can, however, deliver your Absentee Ballot or Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot to the Embassy or Consulate for mailing through the U.S. Postal Service at no cost.  We encourage all citizens to use electronic options to submit your ballots when available, however, as this is the fastest and most secure way to ensure your vote is counted.

When and How Will I Get My Ballot?

When your local state officials receive your registration materials, they will register you and send you a ballot which you will fill out and return according to the instructions you are given. In some cases, local officials may need to contact you in order to confirm your prior residency in the state and your citizenship before they will send you a ballot.  It is important to provide accurate contact information on the FPCA and to explain any unusual circumstances in the space provided.

What if my ballot doesn't come on time?

If you have not received your ballot, and your postcard application was mailed in time to be received by your local election official 30 days prior to the election, you may be eligible to use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote for federal offices.  This ballot may be used only for general elections and is an emergency backup for voters who expect to be able to use the regular absentee ballot but who did not receive that ballot in time to vote and return it.  The federal write-in ballot must be received by the local election official no later than the deadline for receipt of regular absentee ballots under state law.

How do I contact the Embassy if I have other questions?

Need assistance with voting from overseas?  Our Navigator will guide you to the information that you need, and help you ask us for assistance if you need it.