VOTING INFORMATION
Your vote. Your voice.
Since the founding of this nation, voting hasn't been a right for every American. Hard-fought civic, judicial and legislative battles over the last two-and-a-half centuries have empowered women, African-American people and other disadvantaged and excluded groups with the right to vote.
Currently, many Republican-controlled state legislatures are ramming through laws to suppress your right to vote by:
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restricting when and how Americans can register to vote;
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requiring onerous voter ID laws;
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purging voter rolls;
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redistricting and gerrymandering,
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imposing harsh penalties on voters and poll workers who violate arbitrary rules about voting; and
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disenfranchising Americans with felony convictions while in prison and during their parole.
"We cannot treat voting as an errand to run if we have some time. We have to treat it as the most important action we can take on behalf of democracy."
— Former President Barack Obama
But if you already think your vote doesn't matter nor makes a difference, consider that the 2016 presidential election was decided by about 78,000 votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — or less than 0.06 percent of total votes cast, throwing the election to Donald Trump at the time.
Your vote, indeed, does matter and must count. In 2022, there was no expected "red wave" for the midterms as Democrats retained the Senate and Republicans took over the House by the barest of margins. The stakes continue to remain high as we near the 2024 presidential elections. We have compiled some relevant resources to help you better understand your constitutional right to vote and what you need to do to protect it. You can also visit our various chapter pages if you live in any of our target states for specific information about your state's voting procedures such as registering and requesting a mail-in ballot, if allowed.
Below, please find organizations to help you determine your voter status and that of your family and friends. If you're an American who lives abroad then you need to know how to register, request ballots and vote from overseas.
Top Resources
One-stop shop for all your voting questions and needs
Helps build the political power of young people
Works to protect and expand voting rights of everyone
Promotes fair elections , encourages voter participation and educate voters of their rights
Focuses on election integrity and security, among other issues.
Pushes for election reform and engages in voter education programs and communications
VOTING OVERSEAS?
If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, please vote (and make sure your friends vote, too).
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U.S. citizens overseas can register to vote and request ballots here.
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Check guidelines for registration and ballot requests for your home state here. Some states allow registration by email or fax. Others require registration by mail.
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ACT NOW to get Absentee Ballots in time to avoid mail delays.
Voting and Taxes
A frequently cited reason why U.S. citizens overseas avoid voting is because they are concerned that it will trigger state income taxes. However, if you only vote for federal candidates (House, Senate, President), you will NOT be subject to state income taxes.
For more information, go to Voting and Taxes
More Helpful Information:
New York Times: Are You an American Voting from Abroad? Here’s How to Do It
US State Department's Absentee Voting Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad
US Defense Department's Federal Voting Assistance Program