The Electoral College

The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress. Each state elects the number of representatives to the Electoral College that is equal to its number of Senators—two from each state—plus its number of delegates in the House of ... Read More»

The 2016 U.S. Election is just a few days away!

The 2016 U.S. Election is just a few days away. This is a reminder that the U.S. Embassy is NOT a polling place; do not come to the U.S. Embassy on Election Day (November 8) to cast your vote. If you are still looking to vote in this year’s election, it may not be too ... Read More»

What if I have not received my absentee ballot by mid-October?

If you don’t receive your absentee ballot by mid-October, you may wish to instead submit a Federal Write-In Ballot (or “FWAB”), which can be printed from the FVAP website. If you submit a FWAB and then receive your state ballot, go ahead and submit the state ballot as well, and if local officials receive both, ... Read More»

When should I request and submit my absentee ballot?

Each state has its own deadlines for registering to vote, requesting absentee ballots, and sending completed absentee ballots, both for the primary and general election. Using the FVAP state-by-state guidance, you can find your state’s deadlines and the necessary forms for registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. We recommend submitting your request and ... Read More»

How do I submit my registration, ballot request, and absentee ballot?

All states will accept these documents by mail; Royal Mail offers convenient, affordable mailing options to the United States with 5-7 day delivery times. You may also drop off any of these items at the U.S. Embassy in London in a completed, postage-paid envelope (available under “Downloadable Election Materials” on the FVAP homepage). You can ... Read More»

Can I vote in the 2016 U.S. federal elections and in which state should I register to vote?

Most Americans living abroad should be able to vote in U.S. federal elections in 2016. Voting is coordinated through state authorities, so overseas voters need a connection of some kind with a U.S. state in order to vote. To vote from overseas you will have to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and submit ... Read More»

Last Call for Voting in the U.S. Election!

With Election Day on November 8, time is running short to request an absentee ballot if you have not already done so. It can take a while for your request to reach local election officials in the United States and for them to process your request, so don’t wait until the last minute. Please refer ... Read More»

How do I submit my registration, ballot request, and absentee ballot?

All states will accept these documents by mail; Royal Mail offers convenient, affordable mailing options to the United States with 5-7 day delivery times.  You may also drop off any of these items at the U.S. Embassy in London in a completed, postage-paid envelope (available under “Downloadable Election Materials” on the FVAP homepage). Some states ... Read More»

When should I request and submit my absentee ballot?

Each state has its own deadlines for registering to vote, requesting absentee ballots, and sending completed absentee ballots, both for the primary and general election. Using the FVAP state-by-state guidance, you can find your state’s deadlines and the necessary forms for registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. Read More»

Financing Campaigns

Federal law dictates how candidates for the federal offices of president, senator and representative — and certain of their political allies — may raise funds, as well as from whom and in what amounts. Federal campaign finance laws are separate from state laws that regulate elections for state and local offices. In the American system, ... Read More»

Glossary of U.S. Election Terms

Absentee voting Absentee voting allows voters who cannot come to polling places to cast their ballots. A variety of circumstances, including residency abroad, illness, travel or military service, can prevent voters from coming to the polls on Election Day. Absentee ballots permit registered voters to mail in their votes. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee ... Read More»

FAQs on Political Conventions

Why are national political conventions held? The processes of the political national conventions have evolved over more than a century, but the purpose has remained the same: to nominate presidential candidates and lay out goals and party priorities. The first political convention was held in 1831 when the Anti-Mason party met in a Baltimore saloon ... Read More»

U.S. Elections: Frequently Asked Questions

TYPES OF ELECTIONS What types of elections are held in the United States? There are two basic types of elections — primary and general. In addition to the primaries and general elections held in even-numbered years, which include political races for the U.S. Congress, some states and local jurisdictions also hold “off-year” elections (both primary ... Read More»
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