Embassy of the United States

Embassies and consulates are not polling places

The majority of states require voted ballots to reach local election officials by the close of polls on Tuesday, November 6. U.S. citizens who want to participate in the 2012 U.S. elections should already have returned their absentee ballots to their local election officials. U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places; same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States.  

Ballot not yet sent to local election officials

All voters who wish to participate in this election who have not yet sent their ballots to their local election officials should consider returning their ballot to the United States via an express courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Some states or counties may allow you to return your voted ballot electronically. Check your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov for guidance.

Returning your Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot by email or fax

The following states allow voters to use email or fax to send signed, voted Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots to local election officials: Arizona, California (fax only), Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. Check your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov for guidance.  

Returning ballots via express courier service

Voters can hire express courier companies such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx to return voted ballots. Through October 31, FedEx is offering discounted shipping for last-minute voters in 94 countries through the Express Your Vote program https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/ExpressYourVote.htm.  Ballots sent to local election officials via express courier service do not receive standard postmarks, so voters using this method should confirm delivery on or before November 6 prior to payment and shipment.

Returning your ballot by mail

Ballots sent via mail at this late date are unlikely to reach local election officials by state ballot receipt deadlines. If you still wish to send your voted ballot via mail, place your voted ballot in a U.S. postage-paid envelope addressed to your local election officials. Drop it off at the Embassy, and we’ll send it back home for you without the need to pay international postage, which takes approximately 10 working days and for the majority of states will not arrive in time. If it's easier for you to use the U.K. postal system, be sure to affix sufficient international postage, and allow sufficient time for international mail delivery.

U.S. citizens can submit their completed ballots or FPCAs, and/or FWABs to the Embassy’s Consular Section between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00, Monday through Friday, with the exception of British and U.S. holidays. No appointment is necessary.

Need Help or Have Questions? Please contact London’s Voting Assistance Officer at 0207-499-9000 or at Londonvote@state.gov.

Confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website at www.FVAP.gov.