If you are a US citizen living in Britain or Europe, you can still vote from abroad in the midterms, with Election Day on November 3. Time is short, though. Ballots that arrive late may not count, so the safest move this week is to return yours electronically if your state allows it, or to send the federal backup ballot.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- US citizens overseas have a federal right to vote under UOCAVA, a 1986 law, according to the Overseas Vote Foundation.
- The legal deadline for states to mail or email ballots to overseas voters who requested one was September 19, 2026, which is 45 days out.
- The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is a backup for voters who requested a ballot but have not received it in time.
Democrats win control of the House and Senate, networks project
Can I still vote from abroad this year?
Yes, as long as you are registered or have already asked for a ballot. Americans overseas vote in federal races through their voting residence, which for most people is the last US state where they lived. Your votes count for the House and, where there is a race, the Senate.
Three common worries are unfounded, according to the Overseas Vote Foundation. You don't need to own property in the US, your first ever vote can be cast from overseas, and the ballot doesn't need a notary.
The group affected is large. A 2022 Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) report counted at least 4.4 million Americans living abroad, not including the military, The Connexion reported. France alone is home to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000.
How do you vote from abroad, step by step?
The process has three parts, and most voters started it weeks ago.
- Request a ballot. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) on FVAP.gov registers you and asks for your ballot at the same time. It covers federal races for the whole calendar year. Add your email so the ballot can be sent electronically.
- Fill it in. Most states let you confirm online that your registration is active and your ballot has gone out.
- Send it back. Some states take ballots by email, fax or online upload. Others insist on paper, sent with the right US postage or in a postage-paid envelope.
The US Embassy in Rome notes that some states still require a paper FPCA with an ink signature. Check your own state on FVAP.gov before you do anything else.
What if my ballot has not arrived?
Use the backup. The FWAB lets you vote for federal offices if you asked for an absentee ballot but it did not reach you in time. You can download it from FVAP.gov, write in the names or parties you support, sign the voter page and return it.
What if the official ballot then turns up? FVAP says to fill that one in and send it too, since your state will count only one. As a result, sending the backup early will not get your vote counted twice.
| Your situation this week | What FVAP and US embassies advise |
|---|---|
| Ballot received, state allows electronic return | Return it by email, fax or upload as your state permits |
| Ballot received, state requires paper | Post it now with US postage, or drop it at a US embassy or consulate |
| Ballot requested but not received | Send the FWAB now; also return the official ballot if it arrives |
| Never registered or requested | Check your state's rules on FVAP.gov; many registration deadlines passed in October |
Source: our summary of guidance from FVAP and the US embassies in Italy and Mexico.
What are the deadlines to vote from abroad?
Each state sets its own. A US Embassy in Mexico notice dated October 25 said a November 3 postmark is enough in many states, but others want the ballot in hand by a set date. Therefore you should look up your state's receipt rule rather than assume.
Embassy drop-off is free, and the US Embassy in Rome confirms that service for paper ballots. However, ballots left at an embassy travel by diplomatic pouch, which does not leave daily. In Mexico City, for example, the embassy's recommended drop-off date was October 26. A voting adviser quoted by The Connexion warned that pouch delivery can be too slow near a deadline, so local post or electronic return may be quicker this late.
Want to see how close the races are? Our midterm election forecast page has the latest House and Senate odds, and the poll closing times guide lists every state in GMT and CET.
How to watch election night live
From London, the first polls close at 11 p.m. GMT on November 3, and results run through the early hours of November 4. Our UK–US time difference guide converts the key moments.
Start with how to watch the US midterms in the UK and Europe. The Sky News live stream and the BBC News live stream both carry overnight coverage, while the C-SPAN live stream shows speeches without commentary. US channels are covered in our guide to watching midterm results live.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We're building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development. See what the NewsLive app will offer and join the early-access list.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to vote from abroad?
Not if you already requested a ballot. Return it the fastest way your state allows, or send the FWAB. If you never registered, check your state on FVAP.gov, because many registration deadlines have passed.
Which state do I vote in if I live overseas?
Generally the last US state where you lived. Your ballot covers federal races for that state and district.
Can I return my ballot by email?
Only in some states. Others require paper, so check FVAP.gov. More guides are in our Elections section.
