Voting in the 2024 US federal election
Your vote counts! Did you know that many U.S. federal elections for the House of Representatives and Senate were decided by margins that were smaller than the number of votes cast by mail-in voters? All states are required to count every mail-in ballot that is valid and received by local election officials by the mail-in ballot deadline.
Follow a few simple steps to ensure you can vote in the 2024 US federal election:
Step 1: Request your ballot
Complete a new Federal Postal Card Application (FPCA). You must complete a new FPCA after January 1, 2024 to ensure you receive your ballot for the 2024 election.
Filing the FPCA allows you to request mail-in ballots for all elections for federal offices (Presidential, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives), including primaries and special elections in the calendar year in which the FPCA is filed. All local election officials in all US states and territories accept the FPCA.
You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP.gov. The online voting assistant asks you state-specific questions. We encourage you to request electronic delivery of your blank ballots (via email, Internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Enter your email address into your FPCA to use the electronic ballot delivery option. Return the FPCA following the instructions on the website. The Online Election Assistant will tell you whether your state allows electronic return of the FPCA or whether you must submit a paper copy with an original signature. If you need to return a paper version, please follow the same instructions below for returning your ballot.
Step 2. Receive your ballot and fill it out
States are required to mail ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office, and typically at least 30 days before primary elections. Most states allow you to confirm your registration and ballot delivery online.
Step 3. Return your completed ballot
While some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically, others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Place your ballot in a stamped return envelope or an envelope with sufficient U.S. domestic postage and address it to the appropriate local election officials.
Americans in Spain or Andorra can receive voting assistance or drop off their completed voting forms and ballots addressed to your local election officials at the following locations:
- Completed voting forms or ballots may be mailed through the U.S. Embassy in Madrid by mailing them in sealed envelopes to American Citizens Services between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. and local holidays. Submit department (PDF). 155K).
- Completed election forms or ballots can be mailed through the U.S. Consulate General Barcelona by dropping them off in sealed envelopes at the consulate between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. and local holidays.
- If you are sending your voting form or ballot through one of the U.S. consular agencies, email the nearest agency to schedule an appointment to drop off the document.
You may also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or a professional courier service at your own expense.
Voting questions
You can receive assistance online or by telephone from our Embassy and Consulate Election Support Officers:
- US Embassy Madrid at [email protected]
- US Consulate General, Barcelona at: [email protected]
For personal services, you can ask about American Citizen Services at the embassy or consulate general. An appointment is not necessary.
You can also contact them Federal Election Assistance Program directly by email to [email protected] or 0800-917-304 (phone)/0800-916-557 (fax).
Embassies and consulates are not polling stations. Same-day voting is not possible outside the United States.
Learn more
Research candidates and topics. The FVAP Links page provides resources you can use to research candidates and topics. FVAP regularly sends information about election dates and deadlines through its voting notifications. To subscribe or follow FVAP on Facebook, email [email protected] X.
For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website. FVAP.gov. If you are in Spain or Andorra and have questions about registering to vote abroad, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Remember, your vote counts!
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