Voting Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad

Important Message to U.S. Citizens Regarding the 2012 Elections

New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 elections. You will no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request. All U.S. citizens outside the United States who want to vote by absentee ballot in the 2012 general elections must complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every year if they wish to vote from abroad. States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election.

How to Register and Request a Ballot

To vote in the 2012 Elections, you must complete and submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) this calendar year. The FPCA allows you to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. If you haven’t yet done so, we urge you to do so now. The easiest way to complete it is online at http://www.fvap.gov/. Depending on your State’s rules, you then send it to your local election officials electronically or by mail.

Mailing Guidance

Print out the completed FPCA and the (U.S.) postage-paid envelope containing the address of your local election officials. You can drop off the postage-paid envelope (containing your FPCA) at the Embassy Ashgabat, and we will mail it back home for you without the need to pay international postage. If it’s easier for you to use Turkmenistan’s postal system, be sure to affix sufficient international postage and allow sufficient time for international mail delivery. 

The voting registration forms and ballots can be dropped off at any time on weekdays between 9:00am and 5:00pm. It takes from 2 to 3 weeks for your voting materials to reach the US if you mail them through the Embassy. 

Voter Assistance in Turkmenistan

Need help?

You can receive in-person assistance from our Embassy Voting Assistance Officers. The American Citizen Services Unit is open for voting assistance weekdays from 9am to 5pm, address: 9 Pushkin Street, tel: (993-12) 940045 ext. 2148.

Questions? 

If you have any questions about registering to vote, please contact our Voting Assistance Officer at (993-12) 940045 ext. 2148, or via email at voteashgabat@state.gov.