About 2.2 million Americans living abroad are eligible to vote absentee, but overseas participation remains far below the U.S. voting rate. For the 2026 midterm elections, citizens abroad should start early because registration and ballot deadlines vary by state.
Overseas Voting in the 2026 Midterm Elections
The federal general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All 435 U.S. House seats and approximately one-third of Senate seats are regularly contested every two years.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires states and U.S. territories to let eligible overseas citizens, service members and qualifying family members register and vote absentee in federal elections.
Who Can Vote From Abroad?
An eligible citizen abroad generally votes through the state tied to their voting residence. For most overseas citizens, this is the last address where they lived before leaving the United States. It may remain valid even if they no longer own property there or are uncertain about returning.
Eligibility is more complicated for citizens born abroad who have never lived in the United States because the rules vary by state. Some states allow eligible citizens to use a parent or legal guardian’s last voting residence.
How to Request and Return a Ballot
The Federal Voting Assistance Program recommends the Federal Post Card Application, commonly called the FPCA. It can register an eligible voter and request absentee ballots for federal elections for at least one calendar year. FVAP encourages overseas citizens to submit a new FPCA every year and whenever they move.
Related guide: Learn how to complete the FPCA and request a 2026 overseas ballot.
After receiving a ballot, voters must follow their state’s instructions. Deadlines and accepted return methods—including mail and, in some states, electronic options—differ. International delivery may require earlier action.
If a requested ballot does not arrive in time, an eligible voter can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB, as a backup. FVAP advises sending the official ballot too if it arrives after the backup ballot has been submitted.
Related guide: Read our complete guide on how to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot when an overseas ballot does not arrive.
Why Overseas Voting Matters in 2026
FVAP estimated that 3.3 million U.S. citizens lived abroad in 2024 and about 2.2 million were old enough to vote. Only an estimated 11% voted, compared with approximately 76.1% of voting-age people in the United States.
Submitting the FPCA early, checking state rules and returning the ballot promptly can reduce the risk of missing a deadline. For Americans abroad, preparation is the most important step toward participating in the 2026 midterms.
