U.S. citizens can follow a few simple steps to obtain an absentee ballot and vote in U.S. elections.

To vote from abroad, begin at the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website . Use the FVAP’s online assistant  to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) for your state of voting residence. The FPCA acts as both a voter registration and absentee ballot request form. For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online . Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee from overseas in previous elections, you should complete a new FPCA each year. Return the completed FPCA to your local election officials per the instructions on the FVAP website in time to meet your state’s deadline.

For more information, see the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s comprehensive Voting Assistance Guide  or direct questions to your post’s voting officer:

• Brasilia – votebrasilia@state.gov
• Sao Paulo – votesaopaulo@state.gov
• Rio de Janeiro – voteriodejaneiro@state.gov
• Recife – voterecife@state.gov
• Porto Alegre – voteportoalegre@state.gov