How do I register and request an overseas absentee ballot?

To register to vote and request your ballot, visit our Register to Vote/Absentee Ballot page and follow these simple steps:


  • Choose whether you are an overseas or military voter.
  • Fill in the necessary information at each step, continuing to the end of the US Vote data entry process.
  • Note that you can request your ballot online so that you receive it faster, but, depending on your state's Voter Materials Transmission Options, you may need to print and send it back via postal mail.
  • In most states and counties you can choose to submit your form online using our Photo-Signature Email option, eliminating the need to print, sign, scan, upload and email the form yourself.
  • If the Photo-Signature Email option is not available in your state or county, or should you choose not to use it, you will need to download, print, sign, and send your form to your local election office.
  • The address will be provided in the instructions that print with the form. Check your state's Voter Materials Transmission Options to confirm whether you can scan your form and return it by email. Be sure to click the tab for "Overseas & Military Voters."



Always confirm that your registration has been approved. After sending in your Voter Registration/Ballot Request form to your local election official in the United States and given them time to receive and process it, you may be notified by them as to whether your registration application has been processed. If you are not, you can check the status of your registration either online or by contacting your local election official.


  • To check online, go to US Vote's “Am I Registered?service to confirm your registration status.
  • To contact your local election official, go to the Election Official Directory, choose your state and voting region, and click "submit." On the following page click on the tab labeled “Election Official Contact Details” for contact information.


Overseas absentee ballots begin going out to voters who requested them 45 days before the election. Many states have tools available for voters to check the status of their ballot. To see if your state does, you can check out our State Ballot Tracking Chart. If your state offers ballot tracking you'll see an X next to it, which we've hyperlinked to take you directly to your state's ballot tracking service.



A reminder: As an overseas/military voter, you should send in a new Voter Registration/Ballot Request form to your local election official every calendar year during which you would like to vote, as well as whenever you change your address. You should send this in as early as possible to ensure that you are registered in time for election day!