U.S. Embassy Caracas
Message for U.S. Citizens
Voting in U.S. Elections from Overseas
September 24, 2026

Be an active voter by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2026 U.S. elections. Voter registration deadlines vary by state. Some states require voters to be registered 30 days before an election. Check the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.FVAP.gov ) to find more information and the deadline in your state. Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee in previous elections, you should complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot / Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each year to ensure you are able to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.

If you have already completed a FPCA in 2026, check your state’s voter registration verification website, or contact your local election office, to check the status of your absentee ballot request. Using the FPCA ensures that your state will send your ballot to you at least 45 days before the election.

Once your ballot arrives, complete it without delay.  Once you have completed your ballot, you can return it to your local election officials by dropping it off at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas or mail it directly to your home state at your own expense.  Transit time to the United States can take up to 10 days.

Please note that election materials dropped off at the Embassy only need to contain sufficient U.S. postage or be placed in a postage-paid envelope.  Printable postage-paid envelope templates are available on FVAP’s website.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request / Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) 

The FPCA allows you to register to vote and request your absentee ballot in one step.  If you submit an FPCA, your local election officials will send you an absentee ballot for all elections for federal offices (presidential and state primaries, run-off, special, and the November general elections) that take place that calendar year.  Local election officials in all U.S. states and territories accept the FPCA.

The online voting assistant available at FVAP.gov is an easy way to complete the FPCA.  It will ask you questions specific to your state and will generate a printable FPCA, for you to print and sign.

2. Submit the FPCA 

You can return your FPCA to your local election officials via the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.  Make sure you have proper U.S. postage affixed to the FPCA or place it in a postage-paid envelope, and drop it off at the Embassy any time between now and Election Day.

You may also choose to mail it directly to your local election officials at your own expense. Some states allow voters to submit the FPCA via email as well.  See FVAP’s Voting Assistance Guide for specifics on all states.

3. Receive Your Ballot 

After submitting your FPCA, most states have an online portal where you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery information. States are required to send ballots 45 days before an election for federal office to any overseas U.S. citizen who has completed an FPCA.

4. Return Your Ballot 

As with the FPCA, you can return your voted ballot to your local election officials via the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.  Make sure you have proper U.S. postage affixed to the ballot or place it in a postage-paid envelope, or mail it directly to your local official at your own expense.  Ballots can be dropped off at the main entrance of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas from Monday to Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Embassy will be collecting ballots weekly, with final collection up until Election Day, November 3, 2026. Given the 10-day transit time, please submit your ballot as early as possible to ensure it arrives before the deadline.

Some states also accept voted ballots via email. See FVAP’s Voting Assistance Guide for more details on your state.

Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. To receive information by email about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov).