Voting from Abroad (UOCAVA) Voting Guide
A task-focused dashboard for registration, deadlines, ID rules, ballot tools, and official election authority links for the 2026 midterms.
Not an official government website. Election laws and deadlines can change. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm legally binding details with the official source links on this page.
State Voting Summary
In Voting from Abroad (UOCAVA), the next general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. To participate, voters must meet the following registration deadlines — online: Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office; mail: Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office; in-person: Not applicable for voters abroad; confirm with FVAP for your situation.
Early voting schedule: Early in-person voting doesn't apply abroad. States mailed ballots by Sept. 19 (45 days before Election Day) to voters with an FPCA on file. If yours hasn't arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Absentee ballot request deadline: Send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election office as early as possible, because your state sets the request deadline. Ballot return deadline: Your state sets the return deadline, and states had to send ballots by Sept. 19. If yours has not arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
ID requirement for Voting from Abroad (UOCAVA): Overseas and military voters register and request ballots with the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), giving a state ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Some states require a full Social Security number or a copy of ID from first-time voters, so check your state's FVAP guide. Always verify these dates and rules directly with the official Voting from Abroad (UOCAVA) election authority before Election Day.
Quick actions
Registration sourcefvap.govPolling place sourcefvap.govBallot information sourcefvap.govCandidate information sourcefvap.govVoter Registration
- Online
- Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office.Verified official source
- By mail
- Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office.Verified official source
- In person
- Not applicable for voters abroad; confirm with FVAP for your situation.Verified official source
- Eligibility
- U.S. citizens covered by UOCAVA, including eligible military voters and citizens living outside the United States.
Election Dates and Ballot Timing
General Election
November 3, 2026
Primary Election
Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office.
- Primary
- Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office.Verified official source
- General
- November 3, 2026
- Early voting
- Early in-person voting doesn't apply abroad. States mailed ballots by Sept. 19 (45 days before Election Day) to voters with an FPCA on file. If yours hasn't arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).Source: fvap.gov
- Ballot request
- Send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election office as early as possible, because your state sets the request deadline.Source: fvap.gov
- Ballot return
- Your state sets the return deadline, and states had to send ballots by Sept. 19. If yours has not arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).Source: fvap.gov
How to Vote and ID Rules
Accepted ID guidance
Overseas and military voters register and request ballots with the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), giving a state ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Some states require a full Social Security number or a copy of ID from first-time voters, so check your state's FVAP guide.
Source: fvap.govMail voting guidance
Military and overseas voters use one FPCA to register and request absentee ballots for all federal elections in the calendar year, and no excuse is needed. Check your state's page in the FVAP Voting Assistance Guide for its rules.
Source: fvap.govEverything you need to prep and track your absentee ballot securely.
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Ballot and Candidate Tools
Federal races: UOCAVA voters use their voting residence state. In 2026, eligible federal contests may include U.S. House and U.S. Senate races where that state has a Senate election; there is no presidential election in 2026.Verified official source
Statewide/local races: State and local eligibility depends on the voter's voting residence state and ballot type.Verified official source
Frequently Asked Questions
How do UOCAVA voters register or request a ballot for the 2026 midterms?
Use the Federal Post Card Application through FVAP to register, update your voter information, and request an absentee ballot from your voting residence state. Deadlines and return methods vary by state.
When are ballots sent to voters abroad?
Primary dates are set for Varies by voting residence state; use FVAP and your state election office. Regarding early voting: Early in-person voting doesn't apply abroad. States mailed ballots by Sept. 19 (45 days before Election Day) to voters with an FPCA on file. If yours hasn't arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
Is there a presidential race in the 2026 midterms?
You must confirm your specific situation. Overseas and military voters register and request ballots with the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), giving a state ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Some states require a full Social Security number or a copy of ID from first-time voters, so check your state's FVAP guide.
Where should overseas and military voters confirm deadlines?
Timing is critical for absentee voting. Send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election office as early as possible, because your state sets the request deadline. Your state sets the return deadline, and states had to send ballots by Sept. 19. If yours has not arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Military and overseas voters use one FPCA to register and request absentee ballots for all federal elections in the calendar year, and no excuse is needed. Check your state's page in the FVAP Voting Assistance Guide for its rules.