Absentee voting is a simple process:

• Send in a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election official
• Wait for your local election official to process your FPCA and send you a blank ballot
• Complete your ballot and send it back to your local election official before your State’s request deadline (or at least 30 days before the election, whichever is later)
• If your ballot fails to arrive, use the emergency Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to vote

To vote from abroad, you have to register to vote with local election officials in your state of legal voting residence. You can use one form to do both - the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). To complete and address the form, go to FVAP.gov where an online assistant walks you through the process. Your state may allow you to submit your FPCA via mail, fax, or e-mail. Consult the online Voting Assistance Guide for your state's current requirements. If you need help completing or submitting the form, contact the voting assistance officer at the closest U.S. embassy or consulate, or check additional resources available on FVAP.gov.