Overseas and Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is both easy to do and a little confusing at the same time (depending on a few factors). VoterVirgin can only make you aware of your options, it is up to you to decide whether or not to choose to use an absentee ballot.

You will need a computer with a printer and maybe a telephone to get started.

If you are a college student, please know you have the right to vote in the precinct where you attend school. Spending 9 months a year in a community can give you a lot of reasons to vote at school.

If you choose to request an absentee ballot from your home town, you will have to be in touch with your Secretary of State. In a few states, if you are voting for the first time, you have to vote in person (sorry, we don't make the rules).

If you live overseas or serve in the military, you have the Federal Voting Assistance Program to help you out, complete with a toll free number for questions.

Sometimes the federal site filters will keep you from logging on. In that case try these fine people at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you are an ex-pat why not get a few fellow Americans together and fill out your forms together?

Rules vary WIDELY so be sure you know what to do in your home state. In some states, you don't need any special reason to request an absentee ballot. In some places, you must be in an industry that demands a lot of your time (rock star, baby!), elderly, or disabled. Special rules may apply to delivering your absentee ballot as well!

VoterVirgin suggests you google (your state)+ (absentee voting) to get the most current info on absentee voting in your state.