How to Vote from Abroad in the 2016 US Election

By Nathasha Soon and Catherine Conway

Update: The election is now less than 30 days away. It's time to take action.

Registered but haven't received your ballot? 
If you are registered to vote absentee, but haven't received your absentee ballot by now, you may fill out a federal emergency absentee ballot and mail it to your local jurisdiction through the US Embassy. You can also pick one up at AmCham China's Beijing office.

Registered, have your ballot, but not sure how to mail it to the US on time? 
If you are in a state that requires you to snail mail in your ballot, you may also use the US Embassy to send your precious parcel! Just address the package as you normally would to send it to your local supervisor of elections, and then either mail it to the US Embassy in Beijing or hand deliver it. Embassy staff encourage hand delivery to ensure that your ballot safely arrives at the embassy. Simply go to the main gate, show your passport and ask for citizen services during office hours: 8:30am-noon; 2pm-4:30pm; Monday to Friday, with a closure on Wednesday afternoon. You will be able to send  your ballot back to the US with a diplomatic pouch. There is no guarantee on the date it will arrive in your state, so come as soon as you can. Embassy address: No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 PRC / 北京安家楼路55号 邮编：100600 

Still have questions? 
Call the embassy at 8610-8531-4000, then press 0 and ask for US citizen services. You'll be connected to someone who can help. Additionally, FVAP.gov has a great amount of valuable information for US citizens voting from abraod.

Voting abroad has become easier than ever. (See our infographic, below.) All US citizens can now receive ballots electronically, and many states do the whole process by email. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax or through a website. How you send it back also depends on which state, territory or other citizenship you may have. Here's an outline of the process and a state-by-state guide (plus territories and citizens who have never resided in the US). There's no reason not to exercise your right this November.

 

 

Step one: Register and request absentee

To begin, go to FVAP.gov to complete and submit your new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) electronically, which acts as both a registration and absentee ballot request form. You can also fill out the PDF online or pick up a hard copy version from your nearest consulate, US Embassy or from an overseas US citizen civic or political group.

If you request an electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before the general election. Most states now have voter registration verification websites, and many offer a way of tracking the status of your registration and ballot.

Returning your ballot

In order to return your filled-in ballot, either return your ballot online, put your ballot in the mail with appropriate international postage, or drop off your ballot at your closest US Embassy or consulate, though it must be addressed to your local election officials and have sufficient postage or be in a postage-paid envelope (a postage-paid envelope is available on the FVAP web site).

If you have not received your requested state absentee ballot in a timely manner (30 days before the election, which in 2016 falls on Oct. 10), you can fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), fill out the PDF form and send it directly to your election office, or pick up a hard copy version from your nearest US Embassy or consulate. The PDF package even includes a pre-addressed and postage paid label, but don’t forget a security envelope.

For additional questions, a Voting Assistance Officer can be reached at the US Embassy in Beijing by phone (8610-8531-4000) or email (votebeijing@state.gov). When requesting voting information by email, please indicate your name, current address in China and your last legal state of residence in the US.

State-by-state breakdown

Alabama

• You can register to vote, request a ballot or update your voter information through Alabama’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by October 24, 2016 and ballot request received by November 3, 2016. Ballot returns must be postmarked by November 8, 2016.

Alaska

• You can register to vote, request a ballot or update your voter information through Alaska’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your mail is postmarked by October 9, 2016 and email or fax is received by October 9, 2016. Ballot requests by mail must be received by October 29, 2016 and by email/online or fax by 5PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns by mail must be postmarked by November 8, 2016 and by online or fax received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

American Samoa

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in American Samoa through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 10, 2016 and ballot request by October 24, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

Arizona

• You can register to vote, request a ballot or update your voter information through Arizona’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration, ballot request and ballot return are all received by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Arkansas

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Arkansas’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by October 9, 2016 and ballot return postmarked by November 8, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by November 1, 2016.

California

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through California’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through various available jurisdiction tools, besides using the FVAP’s online assistant or completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail or fax are received by October 24, 2016 and ballot request by November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by postmarked mail or fax by November 8, 2016.

Colorado

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Colorado’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please submit your registration and ballot return by 7PM, November 8, 2016. There is no deadline for the ballot request.

Connecticut

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Connecticut through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by 5PM, November 7, 2016 and ballot request is received by November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Delaware

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Delaware’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by mail is postmarked by October 24, 2016 and email or fax received by October 24, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by mail by 12PM, November 4, 2016 and by email/online or fax by 12PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

District of Columbia

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in District of Columbia through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 11, 2016 and ballot request by November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

Florida

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Florida through available jurisdiction tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by October 11, 2016. Ballot requests by mail must be received by November 2, 2016 and by email/online or fax by November 8, 2016. Ballot returns within the US must be received by mail by November 8, 2016 and outside of the US mail must be postmarked and fax received by November 8, 2016.

Georgia

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Georgia’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by email or fax is received by 5PM, October 11, 2016 and mail postmarked by 5PM, October 11, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 5PM, November 4, 2016 and ballot returns postmarked by 5PM, November 8, 2016.

Guam

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Guam through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by 8PM, October 28, 2016 and ballot request by 5PM, November 5, 2016. Ballot returns must be postmarked by November 8, 2016.

Hawaii

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Hawaii through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 10, 2016 and ballot request by 4:30PM, November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be received 6PM, November 8, 2016.

Idaho

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Idaho through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by 5PM, October 14, 2016 and ballot request received by 5PM October 28, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Illinois

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Illinois through FVAP’s Online Assistant, Illinois’s Online Tools, Available Jurisdiction Tools or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your ballot requests are signed by October 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be signed by November 8, 2016. Registration is not required.

Indiana

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Indiana’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 31, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by mail by October 31, 2016 and by email/online or fax by 12PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns within the US must be received by November 8, 2016, outside the US by email, postmarked mail or fax by November 8, 2016.

Iowa

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Iowa through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by November 8, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by mail by 5PM, November 4, 2016 and by email/online or fax by 5PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by postmarked mail by November 7, 2016 and email or fax by 9PM, November 8, 2016.

Kansas

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Kansas’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail, email or fax are received by October 18, 2016 and ballot request is sent by November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

Kentucky

• You can register to vote, request a ballot or update your voter information in Kentucky through FVAP’s online tools, FVAP’s Online Assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure you registration is postmarked by October 11, 2016 by mail. If using email or fax, registrations must be received by October 11, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by November 1, 2016 and ballot returns by 6PM, November 8, 2016.

Louisiana

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Louisiana’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail and fax is received by October 11, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 4:30PM, November 7, 2016 and ballot returns by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Maine

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Maine’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot request are received by November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Maryland

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Maryland’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by October 18, 2016 and ballot return postmarked by 8PM, November 8, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by mail by November 1, 2016 and by email/online or fax by November 4, 2016.

Massachusetts

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Massachusetts through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your ballot request is received by 12PM, November 7, 2016. There is no deadline for registration. Ballot returns by mail must be postmarked by November 8, 2016 and by email/online or fax received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Michigan

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Michigan through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by 8PM, November 8, 2016 and ballot request by 2PM, November 5, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Minnesota

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Minnesota’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration, ballot requests, and ballot returns are received by November 8. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM.

Mississippi

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Mississippi through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 29, 2016 by email or fax or postmarked by the same date if by mail. Ballot requests must be received by November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Missouri

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Missouri through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 12, 2016 and ballot request by November 4, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by postmarked mail by November 7, 2016 and email or fax by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Montana

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Montana’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot request are received by 8PM, November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by mail or sent by email or fax by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Nebraska

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Nebraska through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by mail by 6PM, October 21, 2016 and by email or fax by 6PM, October 28, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 4PM, November 2, 2016 and ballot returns by 8PM C/T PM MT, November 8, 2016.

Nevada

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Nevada’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail and email or fax are received by October 8, 2016, online system by 11:59PM, October 18, 2016, and FWAB by November 1, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

New Hampshire

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in New Hampshire through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by November 8, 2016 and ballot request by November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

New Jersey

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in New Jersey through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by mail is received by October 9, 2016 and by email or fax received by November 4, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by mail by October 9, 2016 and by email or fax by November 4, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

New Mexico

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in New Mexico through available jurisdiction tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 11, 2016 and your ballot request received by November 4, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

New York

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in through New York’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 14, 2016 and ballot request by November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be postmarked by November 7, 2016.

North Carolina

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in North Carolina through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot request are received by 5PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be sent by mail by 12AM, November 8, 2016 and received by email or fax by 7:30PM, November 8, 2016.

North Dakota

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through North Dakota’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your ballot request is received by November 7, 2016 and ballot return by email/online, fax or postmarked mail by November 7, 2016. Registration is not required for the General Election in North Dakota.

Ohio

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Ohio’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by mail by October 11, 2016 and received by email or fax by October 11, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 12PM, November 5, 2016 and ballot returns received by November 18, 2016.

Oklahoma

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Oklahoma through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail, email or fax are received by October 14, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 5PM, November 2, 2016 and ballot returns by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Oregon

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Oregon’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by postmarked mail, email or fax are all received by October 18, 2016, ballot request for a mail ballot is received by November 3, 2016 and email/online or fax ballot request received by November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Pennsylvania

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Pennsylvania through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by mail by October 11, 2016 and received by email or fax by October 11, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by November 7, 2016 and ballot returns signed by November 7, 2016.

Puerto Rico

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Puerto Rico’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration by mail is postmarked by September 19, 2016 and by email or fax is received by September 19, 2016. Ballot requests by mail must be postmarked by September 19, 2016 and by email or fax received by September 19, 2016. Ballot returns must be postmarked by November 8, 2016.

Rhode Island

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Rhode Island through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your ballot request is received by 4PM, October 18, 2016 and ballot return is received by 8PM, November 8, 2016. There is no deadline for registration.

South Carolina

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through South Carolina’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 8, 2016 and ballot request by 7PM, November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by email or fax by 7PM, November 8, 2016 and sent by mail by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

South Dakota

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in South Dakota through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through South Dakota’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by 5PM, October 24, 2016 and ballot request is received by 5PM, November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Tennessee

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Tennessee through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot requests are received by November 1, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 8PM ET, November 8, 2016.

Texas

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Texas through available jurisdiction tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 11, 2016 and ballot request by October 28, 2016. Ballot returns within the US must be received by November 8, 2016 and those outside of the US by November 14, 2016.

Utah

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Utah’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 10, 2016 and your ballot request received by November 3, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by email or fax by 8PM, November 8, 2016 or sent by mail by November 7, 2016.

Vermont

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Vermont’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by November 2, 2016 and ballot request by November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 8, 2016.

Virgin Islands

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in the Virgin Islands through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 2, 2016 and ballot request by October 11, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 5PM, November 25, 2016.

Virginia

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in Virginia through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration for overseas citizens is postmarked by October 17, 2016 and uniformed services and eligible family members is received by November 8, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by November 1, 2016 and ballot returns by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

Washington

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Washington’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot request are received by 8PM, November 8, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by email or fax and signed by mail by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

West Virginia

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information in West Virginia through FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is received by October 18, 2016 and ballot request by November 2, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by November 14, 2016.

Wisconsin

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Wisconsin’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration is postmarked by October 19, 2016. Ballot requests must be received by 5PM, November 3, 2016 and ballot returns must be received by 8PM, November 8, 2016.

Wyoming

• You can register to vote, request a ballot, or update your voter information through Wyoming’s online tools, FVAP’s online assistant or complete the form by hand. You can get your ballot through FVAP’s online assistant or by completing the form by hand. To vote in the General Election (November 8, 2016), please ensure your registration and ballot request are received by November 7, 2016. Ballot returns must be received by 7PM, November 8, 2016.

 

If you were not born nor have ever resided in the US before but are a US citizen who is 18 years or older, the following states allow citizens to vote absentee:

• Alaska

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Alaska is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• Arizona

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last registered to vote in Arizona is eligible to vote in Arizona.

• California

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in California is eligible to vote in California as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another state.

• Colorado

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent, legal guardian, spouse or civil union partner that was last domiciled in Colorado is eligible to vote in Colorado.

• Connecticut

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Connecticut is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• Delaware

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Delaware is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• District of Columbia

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in the District of Columbia is eligible to vote in District of Columbia.

• Georgia

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last registered in Georgia is eligible to vote in Georgia.

• Hawaii

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Hawaii is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• Illinois

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Illinois is eligible to vote in Illinois.

• Iowa

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Iowa is eligible to vote in Iowa.

• Kansas

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Kansas is eligible to vote in Kansas.

• Kentucky

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Kentucky is eligible to vote in Kentucky.

• Maine

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Maine is eligible to vote in Maine.

• Massachusetts

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Massachusetts is eligible to vote in Massachusetts.

• Michigan

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Michigan is eligible to vote in Michigan as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another State.

• Minnesota

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Minnesota is eligible to vote as a "federal voter" and may vote for federal offices only.

• Nebraska

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last registered in Nebraska is eligible to vote in Nebraska as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another state.

• Nevada

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Nevada is eligible to vote in Nevada as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another state.

• New Hampshire

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in New Hampshire is eligible to vote in New Hampshire.

• New Mexico

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in New Mexico is eligible to vote in New Mexico.

• New York

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in New York is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• North Carolina

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in North Carolina is eligible to vote in North Carolina.

• North Dakota

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in North Dakota is eligible to vote in North Dakota.

• Ohio

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Ohio is eligible to vote in Ohio.

• Oklahoma

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Oklahoma is eligible to vote in Oklahoma.

• Oregon

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US is eligible to vote if they intend to reside in Oregon, have a parent, legal guardian, or spouse that is a military or overseas voter under Oregon law, and that parent, legal guardian, or spouse last resided in Oregon.

• Rhode Island

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Rhode Island is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• South Carolina

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in South Carolina is eligible to vote in South Carolina.

• South Dakota

  • A US citizen who is under the age of 22 and has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in South Dakota is eligible vote in South Dakota.

• Tennessee

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Tennessee is eligible to vote in Tennessee.

• Vermont

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Vermont is eligible to vote in Vermont.

• Virginia

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Virginia is eligible to vote in Virginia as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another state.

• Washington

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Washington is eligible to vote in Washington.

• West Virginia

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in West Virginia is eligible to vote in West Virginia.

• Wisconsin

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Wisconsin is eligible to vote as a federal voter and may vote for federal offices only.

• Wyoming

  • A US citizen who has never resided in the US and has a parent or legal guardian that was last domiciled in Wyoming is eligible to vote in Wyoming.

If neither of your parents is from one of these states, it is possible that you do not currently have voting rights.

For additional questions about absentee voting, a Voting Assistance Officer can be reached at the US Embassy in Beijing by phone (8610-8531-4000) or email (votebeijing@state.gov). When requesting voting information by email, please indicate your name, current address in China and your last legal state of residence in the US.

Nathasha Soon and Catherine Conway are Summer Interns at AmCham China.