How to Vote While Studying Abroad

Aug 24, 2026

Quick answer: To vote while studying abroad, U.S. citizens living overseas can register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), then follow the guidelines of their state, including its requirements and deadlines.

To make sure that being abroad doesn’t get in the way of casting your vote, we’ve created a guide for how to vote from abroad.

With young adults making up a key population of today’s voters, study abroad students truly have the power to make a difference with their voice—and their vote!—during election season (even if they are having the adventure of their lives outside of the United States). The Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation (CUVA-F) reports that only 3.4% of Americans living abroad voted in the 2022 midterms.

State Primary elections are rapidly approaching. You can check your state's specific election date at the U.S. Vote Foundation. If you will be studying abroad and out of the country during your state’s election, you’ll need to register for a federal absentee ballot using the process below to cast your vote.

We realize this might be your first time voting, but no worries, we’ve gathered some resources to help you along the way—you got this! Now, let’s make your vote count!

Determine Where or If You Are Registered to Vote

Not sure if you're registered to vote? Visit the U.S. Vote Foundation to double check.

Regardless if an election is federal, state, or local, you will need to register to vote in your state of residence. Your state of residence can be either your home state or the state where you attend college, but you can only register to vote in one state. If you're unsure where you want to register to vote as a student attending college out of state, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has a detailed student voting guide to help you decide.

Complete a Federal Post Card Application

What: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a multi-function form. With this form, you can register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and update contact information.

When: As soon as possible!

Process: While there are a few ways to complete and return the FPCA, we recommend following these steps to complete it digitally:

Visit FVAP’s How to Vote Absentee from Abroad webpage, select “Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), and select your state.
From there, complete the FPCA and all of its sections (State, Jurisdiction, Classification, My Information, Residence, Address, Ballot Receipt, Additional Information, and Review). While completing the electronic form, pay close attention to the addresses: Voting Residence - Your permanent address in the United States where you are registered to vote, and Mailing Address - The IES Abroad Center in your host city.
Follow the instructions given to print and sign your FPCA.

Receive, Complete & Submit Your Ballot

What: A ballot is a way to confidentially cast your vote. Your ballot is unique to you, and should be treated as such—meaning, if you requested a mail-in ballot, you should return your ballot individually rather than mailing one package with ballots from you and your classmates.

Pro Tip: We know you want to celebrate your vote, but keep your ballot out of any voting selfies to ensure your vote won’t be invalidated!

When: According to the Overseas Vote Foundation’s Guide on Voting from Abroad if your ballot request was received by your state’s deadline, you must receive a ballot no later than 45 days before the election. The timing for receiving your ballot prior to election day may vary, the U.S. Vote Foundation has a helpful tool that allows you to track your ballot based on the state you're voting in check out their Ballot Tracker.

Process: Depending on how you requested your ballot to be delivered, you may receive a hard copy ballot at the mailing address you provided (the IES Abroad Center) or a ballot to your inbox.

Electronic ballots – Each state has its own way to accept your ballot, so be sure to follow the instructions provided. You can see the state guidelines by selecting your state on The U.S. Vote Foundation’s State Voting Requirements and Information webpage.

Hard copy ballots – Follow the instructions on your ballot and mail it back right away. Familiarize yourself with the deadline to return your ballot, and keep possible postal delays in mind. Remember, you can view all deadlines by selecting your state on the How to Vote Absentee from Abroad webpage.

Still haven’t received your ballot? A last resort is to complete the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)—an emergency backup form.