If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, you can have your absentee ballots sent to you. Here’s how:
1. Register to vote and request your ballot.
Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and send it to your election office. You can find your state deadlines, election office’s contact and other helpful information at www.FVAP.gov
Your voting residence (the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote) is likely your legal residence or the U.S. address where you last resided. Here’s how to determine your voting residence.
Using the FPCA ensures that your state will send your ballot to you at least 45 days before the election — a protection not guaranteed when using other forms. It’s a good idea to send in a new FPCA every January and each time you move.
2. Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives.
You can submit your ballot according to your state’s guidelines. Some states accept ballots by email or fax. You can also mail your ballot using an international mail courier or you can drop off your completed ballot to U.S. Embassy Muscat Sundays-Thursdays from 7:30 – 3:30.
If you requested your ballot but haven’t received it, contact your election office to ask about the status of your ballot request.
If there isn’t enough time to receive and send back your ballot before the election, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). It works like a backup ballot.
If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, fill out and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.
After you send in your ballot, you can check if it was received by your election office. Get started at www.FVAP.gov
