Election Day 2020 is November 3 in the United States, but it comes 1 month earlier – on October 3 – for those citizens who live outside the country. Especially because of the problems with mail caused by COVID-19, overseas voters need to take action now to ensure that they are registered, and be prepared to act equally quickly to vote in the fall.
For notices about suspensions of mail service, see the US Post Office website and the website of the postal service of the country where you live.
Register to vote and request email/online ballot transmission
Did you know that all overseas voters can receive their ballots from their local election official by email or online means? If you have not already registered to vote in 2020, do it right away and request email/online ballot transmission. If you have already registered but did not request email/online ballot transmission, send in a new registration form with this request.
To (re)register, go to the US Vote Foundation or the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP).
Vote and return your ballot immediately
The law requires that states send ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before Election Day. Vote and return your ballot (electronically if your state permits that) as soon as you receive it.
If you have not received your ballot by October 3, 2020, fill out and send a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which you can get from the Foundation or FVAP. If the ballot sent by your state arrives after you have sent your FWAB, vote and return it, too, and let your local election official decide which one to count.
Spread the word this summer
COVID-19 has sent the summer plans of most of us up in smoke. Use your unexpected free time to get ready to vote yourself, and to help other overseas Americans do so by spreading the word.
See FAWCO’s other articles on voting for specific information on FAWCO's message to voters, materials to use in online voting campaigns and links to resources.
Contact FAWCO's US Voting Committee () to contribute ideas or suggestions, to ask questions or to join the Committee.