Registering to Vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world!
1) Confirm your Voter Registration with your State: Some states require absentee voters to register annually, so you may need to re-register. Go to FVAP.gov to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more. Once you confirm your registration, follow a few simple steps to vote in the 2020 U.S. elections:
2) Request Your Ballot: Most states provide the option to request ballots through their state election portals, which you can easily access via FVAP.gov. You can also choose to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The completion of the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. FPCA forms that are correctly filled out and include a signature and date are accepted by all local election officials in every U.S. state and territory. FVAP’s easy online assistant can assist you with completing the FPCA.
Whether you request your ballot through your state’s portal or the FPCA, we encourage you to select the option for receiving your ballot electronically (by email, internet download, or fax) when available. This is the fastest way for you to get your ballot and ensures you have it in time to return a completed form before your state’s deadline.
3) Receive and Complete Your Ballot: States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. Most states allow you to confirm your ballot delivery online.
4) Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot: Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, then you can do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Place your ballots in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, and address them to the relevant local election officials. You can find postage-paid envelopes to print on the FVAP website. (NOTE: postage from Laos to the United States is not required using this method).
U.S. citizens may drop off their voting documents at the U.S. Embassy Vientiane (Kilometer 9, Thadeua Road) in the voting box located at the Consular security entrance weekdays between the hours of 08:00 A.M to 04:30 P.M., excluding U.S. and local holidays. Once received, items will be sent via diplomatic pouch to be delivered to your district office.
Envelopes will be mailed within one week after receipt by the U.S. Embassy. Once received, please allow two to four weeks for delivery to the United States. You should allow for additional time for your ballot to reach its final destination in the United States.
You can also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense.
Researching the Candidates and Issues: Online Resources. Go to the FVAP links page for helpful resources to aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov).
Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov.
Have Questions? Please contact U.S. Embassy Vientiane’s Voting Assistance Officer at +856 2148 7000, or at votevientiane@state.gov.
You can get in-person assistance from our Embassy Voting Assistance Officers Tuesdays and Thursdays from 08:00AM to 11:00AM, except holidays. No appointment needed.
You can also contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program directly if you encounter issues with local election officials by emailing Vote@FVAP.gov or toll free by phone from many countries around the world.
