U.S. Embassy in Niger

Overseas Absentee Voting for American Citizens

• Overseas absentee voting is fast, easy, and available anywhere in the world. Overseas voters who are eligible to vote can participate in all general, primary, and special elections for federal offices. Some states allow overseas voting in state and local elections.  

• Fast: Most U.S. citizens can complete the voter registration and ballot request application online in minutes. Register to vote in just a few quick clicks or taps, wherever you are in the world.  

• Easy: It’s never been easier to get information on the voting process for each state. U.S. citizens can go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at FVAP.gov/citizen-voter and select their state. Many states have options for voters to register and request ballots online. Some states also have options for eligible voters to submit registration forms and return voted ballots by email or fax.  

• Anywhere: U.S. citizens can vote from anywhere they roam, whether it’s the European countryside or a Pacific Island. Overseas voters have a number of options for returning completed ballots: 

• • Local mail – If you have a reliable mail service to the United States, put your ballot in the mail with appropriate international postage.  

• • U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Pouch – You or another person can drop off your ballot request (FPCA) or completed ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for return to the United States. It must be addressed to your local election officials and have sufficient U.S. postage, or be in a postage-paid envelope. A postage-paid envelope is available on the FVAP website. Contact the U.S. embassy voting assistance officer or visit the embassy’s website for specific instructions.  

• • Fax, Email, or Internet – Some states permit electronic transmission of completed ballots. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for options in your state.  

• • Express Courier Service – If time is short or local mail unreliable, you can use professional courier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS at your own expense. NOTE: FedEx does not deliver to P.O. boxes.   

• The Federal Voting Assistance Program website at FVAP.gov has useful tools to help U.S. voters overseas get information on their state’s absentee voting process as well as access to online assistants and printable PDF forms to register and request ballots.  

• U.S. citizens abroad should submit a new Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA, to their election office every year, even if they have voted overseas before, and every time they change their physical address, email, or name. Citizens can do this by going to https://www.fvap.gov/ and selecting their state. Most states have an online voter registration tool accessible through FVAP.gov. Voters can use the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote, request a ballot, and/or update their contact information. Embassies and consulates will mail any registrations dropped off with them that have the proper postage attached.  

• Most states have websites to verify voter registration. If you are unsure of your status or want to confirm that local officials have received and approved your registration, check the FVAP website for a directory of state voter registration verification websites. You can also write, email, or call local election officials using the contact information found at FVAP.gov.  

• U.S. citizen voters should ensure they sign their absentee ballot before sealing it in the mailing envelope. Unsigned ballots will be rejected by local election officials.  

• U.S. voters can confirm their election officials received their ballot by visiting their state’s election website.  

                                                                                                                                  FAQ 

Q: How soon should a citizen send in their Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote?  

• We recommend submitting a new FPCA early each year and every time you change your mailing address, email, or name.  

Q: It’s 30 days before election day and I haven’t received my ballot yet. What do I do?  

• U.S. voters who have not received their ballots at least 30 days before an election day can submit a completed Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Contact the voting assistance officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help or visit the FVAP website to complete the FWAB using the online assistant. Write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the FWAB to your local election officials.  

• If your regular absentee ballot arrives after submitting a FWAB, you should still complete and return it. Your FWAB will be counted only if your regular ballot does not reach local election officials by your state’s deadline. This will not invalidate your vote or result in casting two votes.  

Q: Can a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the United States vote?  

• Direct your questions about eligibility to local election officials directly using the contact information found at FVAP.gov.  

Q: What effect does voting have on a U.S. citizen’s taxes?  

• Overseas U.S. citizens should consult a tax professional, an attorney, or their state’s revenue service for questions about state tax implications of voting from abroad.  

Q: Can I use the Embassy’s fax to transmit my ballot?  

• You are welcome to drop off your completed, signed, and sealed paper ballot at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and we’ll get it to the U.S. Postal Service for delivery to your election office. We are not able to fax your ballot or other election materials.