Request, receive, return: Voting in the 2026 US midterms from abroad

If you’re an American living abroad, you can vote in the 2026 elections for US Senate, House, and more! This guide will walk you through the process and direct you to a simple form that makes requesting your ballot easier than ever.

Americans can vote from abroad

The bedrock of American democracy is the right of every citizen to cast a vote. And that right doesn't end at the US border. Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, US citizens living, serving, and travelling outside the country are guaranteed the right to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections, and many states also allow these voters to participate in state and local elections. 

The federal government estimates that roughly 2.8 million non-military US citizens of voting age live outside the country. But unfortunately, voting rates among Americans abroad lag far, far behind those of domestic voters. 

In the 2024 election, the federal government estimated that only 11 percent of US voters abroad successfully voted. And it's not for lack of trying! The same survey reports that more than half of these citizens wanted to vote but faced some obstacles.

How to vote in the 2026 midterm elections while abroad

That's where the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Turnout Project comes in. This new project was founded specifically to make it easier for Americans abroad to navigate the process:

Request

Visit USVotersAbroad.org to use their easy tool to register to vote from abroad and to request your 2026 absentee ballot. The form only takes five minutes to complete and when you're finished, the tool will help you send the application to the appropriate local election official. Do this as soon as possible to avoid any processing time delays.

Receive

Election offices will send absentee ballots at least 45 days before the next federal election. It is strongly recommended to receive your blank ballot electronically. This is a great way to minimise waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

Return

You can always print your ballot and mail it back to the US or deliver it to your closest US embassy or consulate. Depending on which state your vote will be counted, you may also be able to return it electronically.

However you vote, make sure to do it early so your ballot arrives in the US in time. That's it! Get started right away at USVotersAbroad.org, and reach out to the support team at the Center for US Voters Abroad Turnout Project if you have any questions along the way.